Bristol Rovers 2-3 Chesterfield,
Sky Bet League Two, The Memorial Stadium, Saturday 7 February 2026
Bristol Rovers were unfortunate to be on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller at The Memorial Stadium against Chesterfield, losing 3-2 after a late winner from James Berry.
The visitors took the lead early in the first half as Tom Naylor headed in from close range, and the Spireites saw the majority of the chances in the first half. Shaq Forde equalised for the gas after a corner was worked back into the box, and the Pirates No7 rose highest to nod home.
Rovers took the lead in the second half; new signing Joe Quigley knocked a header perfectly into the path of Forde, who got his and Rovers’ second with a confident finish past Zach Hemming.
Chesterfield would fight back late on, and goals from Naylor and James Berry would give the away side all three points on a cold and wet afternoon in North Bristol.
The Spireites started brightly, working the ball down the right-hand side, and Liam Mandeville crossed towards Nalyor, who powered a header into the net from close range.
The visitors gained all of the momentum and had plenty of chances to double their lead in the first 15 minutes. Young made himself big to deny Lee Bonis before Dilan Markanday caused Jack Sparkes plenty of problems, directing the ball to Mandeville, but he directed his strike wide.
Rovers' first chance came halfway through the half as Ryan De Havilland floated a ball towards the back post for Kofi Balmer, who nodded the ball back to Alfie Kilgour, but the centre-back blasted a volley over. Minutes later, Rovers were back on level terms. A corner from De Havilland was parried away, and the chance was kept alive. Balmer's flick was nodded across the box by Riley Harbottle to Forde, who planted a downward header beyond Zach Hemming.
Sammy Braybrooke got behind Rovers' defence in the final seconds of the half, but he lifted his effort over Young and the frame of the goal, and both sides went into half-time level.
Dylan Duffy nearly regained the lead for Chesterfield early in the second half as his effort went past Young but not Balmer, who showed his defensive intelligence to get on the line and direct the ball out for a corner.
Head Coach Steve Evans brought on deadline day signings Tommy Leigh, Joe Quigley and Richie Smallwood early on in the second half, with the impact being immediate on the Pirates.
Leigh floated a high ball into the box for Quigley, who nodded the ball perfectly into the path of Shaq Forde, with the 21-year-old showing composure to direct his strike across the goal and past Hemming.
However, Rovers did not hold onto their advantage, and Naylor struck again. After a good move from the travelling team, a deflected cross found its way to the midfielder, who looped a header over the outstretched arm of Young and into the net.
The visitors almost got another in quick succession, but a top save at close range from Young denied Mandeville. Forde was rolled in behind the Chesterfield's defence, and his ball across was met by Clinton Mola, who fired his header just over the bar. With the game going back and forth, it always seemed like there would be a winner.
Ultimately, Chesterfield landed the last blow. Sam Curtis sent a deep cross towards Jame Berry, whose acrobatic finish flew across the goal and in to send his team away from The Mem with all three points.
Bookings: Mola, Kilgour
Goals: Forde X2
Unused Subs: Southwood, Thompson-Sommers
Chesterfield FC: Hemming, Curtis, Dunkley, Swinkels, Pearce, Naylor, Braybrooke, Markanday (Donacien 85), Mandeville (Berry 71), Duffy (Grigg 71), Bonis (Dobra 71)
Bookings: Bonis
Goals: Naylor X2, Berry
Unused Subs: McFadzean, Ladapo, Dickson
Attendance: 8210
