CHESTERFIELD finally ended the two-year reign of manager Lee Richardson at the end of last season, after he failed to take the club back into League One. Former Oldham boss John Sheridan was quickly appointed as the man to bring the good times back to the

CHESTERFIELD finally ended the two-year reign of manager Lee Richardson at the end of last season, after he failed to take the club back into League One, writes MIKE SIMMONDS.

Former Oldham boss John Sheridan was quickly appointed as the man to bring the good times back to the Spireites after they dropped into the bottom league in the 2006/07 season.

After a disappointing opening day 2-0 defeat at Torquay and Carling Cup exit against Scunthorpe, Sheridan's men went on five-game unbeaten run, with wins over Northampton, Notts County and draws against Shrewsbury and Morecambe.

They even put five past Burton in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, but that sequence came to an end with defeat at Rotherham last weekend.

Sheridan opted to bring experience with him to Saltergate, as Ian Breckin and Mark Allot signed up, while talented midfielder Drew Talbot also joined.

Young Man City forward Donal McDermott has also been signed on loan and picked up his first league goal in the victory over Northampton.

One player that any manager in the lower leagues would love to be able to call on, is still leading the line for Chesterfield, as Jack Lester remains a potent force.

He will be disappointed with just one goal so far this season, but with 46 goals in 78 league appearances for the Spireites, he knows exactly where the target is.

The rest of the visitors line up is laced with experience, as centre half Robert Page won 42 caps for Wales, while Derek Niven and Kevin Austin have played over 600 games between them.

TEAM NEWS

Daggers: Danny Spiller has signed on a free transfer and is expected to go straight into the side. That could mean Jon Nurse missing out, with Peter Gain moving to the left, while Pompey loanee Tom Kilbey will again be on the bench.

Chesterfield: Spireites boss John Sheridan might make changes to his side after the 3-1 defeat at Rotherham.

Martin Gritton, Paul Harsley, Danny Hall, Darren Currie, Lloyd Kerry and Sott Boden are all pushing for starts after seeing little first-team action so far.

WE'VE MET BEFORE

Daggers and Chesterfield have an identical record in their four previous meetings, with both sides winning one game 3-0, while the other two have been 1-1 draws.

The last encounter at Victoria Road was an explosive one as the visitors were reduced to nine men as Lloyd Kerry and Robert Page were both sent off for fouls on striker Ben Strevens, while goals from Sam Saunders, Mark Nwokeji and Paul Benson secured the triumph.

ONE TO WATCH

Jack Lester - his free transfer to Chesterfield back in 2007 represents one of the finest piece of businesses done, as the striker has never been away from the goals since.

Thirty-three years of age now, but with over 100 strikes to his name in league football, he remains lethal in front of goal.

FROM THE DUGOUT

"There are a few players who are fed up with not playing; that's good. I want players to be unhappy when they're not playing," said Chesterfield boss John Sheridan.

"But for some, if they want to play regularly they may have to move on. That's how it is. We're not the richest club in the world. I know the budget, and if some have to leave to allow me to bring others in, that's football."

PREDICTION

Daggers have been on fire at home, but Chesterfield's experience is impressive, so it could be a tight affair, finishing in a 2-2 draw.

Can Daggers emerge victorious against Chesterfield? Email: mike.simmonds@archant.co.uk

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