Chesterfield 3 Brentford 1

Last updated : 07 August 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Chesterfield made a flying start to the campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win at home to Brentford.

Debutant Wayne Allison put the Spireites on course for victory with a goal after 17 minutes and the former Sheffield United favourite was on hand to finish of a fine move, sliding home Ian Evatt's low cross from close range.

But Allison's joy was short lived when just eight minutes later he limped from the field with an ankle injury after a run of the mill challenge.

However, sub Caleb Folan proved he was up to the mark when he doubled Chesterfield's lead on the hour with a far post header from Mark Allott's right-wing cross. Folan's goal celebrations earned him a yellow card for pulling of his shirt, but his goal seemed certain to finish of the Bees challenge.

Martin Allen's men refused to wilt despite the searing heat and six minutes later dragged themselves back into the game with a goal against the run of play.

A Chesterfield corner was cleared to Jay Tabb who ran 80 yards before a challenge and steered the ball into the path of sub Slex Rhodes who hit the net with a crisp finish from the edge of the box.

With veteran John Salako pulling the strings in midfield the Bees like stealing an unlikely point. Salako forced a fine finger-tip save from Carl Muggleton and defender Andrew Frampton rattled the home crossbar with a fine effort from 30 yards.

Isaiah Rankin also came close with an attempted back flick from inside the six-yard area, but his effort went just wide as the game became stretched as both sides struggled to cope with the extreme conditions.

Home sub Tcham N'Toya-Zoa put the result with beyond doubt with a fine solo effort deep into injury time.

He held off two defenders before sending a superb left-foot shot beyond the despairing Bees keeper.