Bristol Rovers fell to their sixth defeat in seven Sky Bet League Two outings after losing 2-0 to Chesterfield at The Memorial Stadium.
The Spireites created the better of the chances in the first half and took the lead into the break thanks to Louie Marsh's fine finish into the bottom corner. The hosts threatened to level before half-time but could not find a way through.
Rovers started the second half strongly, with Bobby Kamwa and Ellis Harrison both forcing saves from Zac Flemming. However, Lee Bonis doubled Chesterfield’s advantage against the run of play.
Arvin Appiah came close late on, but Rovers could not find a way back into the game. Chesterfield held on to secure a 2-0 win at The Mem.
Steve Evans named the same team that beat Cambridge United 2-0 in the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper just over a week ago, but could not repeat that level of performance.
Chesterfield had the first chance of the game as Kyle Mcfadzean flashed a volley past Brad Young’s goal. Tommy Leigh collected a misplaced pass from the visitor's goalkeeper and won a free-kick just outside the box, but he lifted the set piece well over the target.
Young’s misplaced pass then gave Liam Mandeville a golden chance, but his first-time effort hit the left post. Young would redeem himself with a huge save from Louie Marsh’s low effort.
However, he could not stop the next effort from Marsh moments later. The winger cut inside and bent the ball past the shot-stopper into the far corner to give Chesterfield the lead. Bonis then looked certain to double the Gas' advantage, but Alfie Kilgour got across for an impressive block.
Ben Purrington’s flicked header following a long throw clipped the post before going wide. Rovers made three changes before half-time, introducing Shaq Forde, Bobby Kamwa and Arvin Appiah, and Forde would go close, forcing a save from Zac Flemming before the offside flag went up.
Rovers looked bright at the start of the second period, taking control of the ball and working it from side to side. Kamwa had a chance as he cut inside onto his right foot and forced Flemming into a low save.
Forde then raced down the right-hand side, and his delivery was met by Kamwa, whose header across gave Leigh the chance to shoot, but it was blocked at close range.
Kamwa threatened Chesterfiled's defence every time he got the ball. He beat his man on the left-hand side and found Ellis Harrison with a looping cross, but his header at the back post was saved.
The away side survived the Gas' pressure and doubled their lead with around 15 minutes to play. Forde’s attempted clearance deflected into the path of Bonis, who composed himself and slotted past Young.
Appiah went close in the closing stages, lofting an effort just wide of the post from outside the penalty area. The Gas could not find a way back into the contest, with the Spireites claiming all three points at The Mem.
Bristol Rovers: Young, James, Balmer, Kilgour, Mola, Russel-Denny (Kamwa 41), Quigley (Forde 41), Purrington (Appiah 45), Gough (Sanyaolu 65), Leigh, Cavegn (Harrison 65)
Subs not used: Binns, Smallwood
Chesterfield: Hemming, Hutton, Simpson, McFadzean, Gordon, Stirk, Naylor, Mandeville (Dyer 86), Marsh (Randall 65), Koroma (Markanday 65), Bonis (Duffy 79)
Subs not used: Pond, Pearce, McEachran
Goals: Marsh 24, Bonis 77
Bookings: MacFazdean, Bonis
Referee: Neil Hair
Attendance: 8661 (673 away)
