Walsall win 2-0 at Chesterfield in League Two play-off semi-final first leg
Allen put Saddlers ahead from penalty spot before Chang thumped in second
Second leg takes place at Bescot Stadium on Friday (20:00 BST KO)
AFC Wimbledon beat Notts County 1-0 in other League Two play-off on Saturday
Chesterfield 0-0 Walsall
Ooooh, inches wide from Chesterfield winger Ryan Colclough as he turns in the area and shoots towards the far post - it's just the wrong side of the post via a deflection.
The ensuing corner is cleared again.
Really good from Colclough who sat down his defender to create that chance.
Chesterfield 0-0 Walsall
The corresponding league fixture this season finished 2-2 while Walsall won 3-1 at the Bescot.
A misdirected header back towards Tommy Simkin gifts Chesterfield a corner but Walsall deal with it.
Chesterfield 0-0 Walsall
Lee Turnbull
Former Chesterfield forward on BBC Radio Sheffield
The first five minutes have been really hectic.
The Spireites just need to find a way to get a little bit of possession, take the sting out the game.
It's a play-off semi-final, it's going to be 100 miles an hour.
Chesterfield 0-0 Walsall
We've got two very different styles on display today.
Chesterfield will try to build from the back while Walsall are a bit more direct.
The visitors have started strongly with forcing Ryan Boot into that save from George Hall.
Chesterfield 0-0 Walsall
Jimmy Walker
Former Walsall goalkeeper on BBC Radio WM
It's a nice early battle, Will Grigg up against Harry Williams.
I like how Walsall are set up. Whether they will stick at it or not, I don't know.
There's a lot of energy out there.
Chesterfield 0-0 Walsall
Chesterfield deal with two early Walsall corners.
Ryan Boot then scuffs a clearance to a Walsall player but defenders come to his rescue.
The home side need to take the sting out of this even at this early stage.
Chesterfield 0-0 Walsall
Wow - 15 seconds gone and Jamille Matt flicks on for George Hall to get a shot in which home goalkeeper Ryan Boot has to block for a corner.
Hangover? Walsall? Maybe not...
Chesterfield 0-0 Walsall
Lee Turnbull
Former Chesterfield forward on BBC Radio Sheffield
It almost feels like a new era.
Smashed the National League, now they are in League Two play-offs. Possibly with a final at Wembley.
These are a dangerous animal, Walsall, but let's hope they can do the deed today and on Friday too.
Chesterfield 0-0 Walsall
Decent weather for cricket today - plenty of sun and heat to ramp-up the tension for a League two play-off as well.
We are under way in Derbyshire...
Chesterfield v Walsall (15:30 BST)
Jimmy Walker
Former Walsall goalkeeper on BBC Radio WM
Put the heat in the mix as well, it's tough.
You don't realise how much it can drain you, it saps you. You've got to be able to handle that.
Walsall have got a responsibility to get over the line now.
Image source, PA MediaChesterfield v Walsall (15:30 BST)
BBC Local Radio
Because of the way broadcasting rights are organised we cannot bring you audio commentary online.
BBC Radio Sheffield and BBC Radio WM are providing commentary on the radio if you live in their broadcasting areas.
We will bring you a flavour of the radio coverage as well as our live text commentary.
Chesterfield v Walsall (15:30 BST)
Image source, Rex FeaturesWalsall, having led the table and then been in the top three for so long, suffered the agony of seeing their automatic promotion place taken away by a Bradford goal in the final seconds of their victory over Fleetwood.
The Saddlers had beaten Crewe only to have to wait for the end of the Bantams game to hear they would have to come through the play-offs but boss Mat Sadler believes they're ready to go again.
"We did our part of the job and handled the occasion very well but the circumstances of how it happened probably don't matter - we knew the job was to prepare and focus for a second bite of the cherry," Sadler told BBC Radio WM.
"We moved on very quickly and have had a good training week.- the guys have all put the work in and we know Chesterfield are a fantastic team with a manager who has done a brilliant job there.
"We're going to have to be right on top of our game but we're really looking forward to it."
Chesterfield v Walsall (15:30 BST)
Image source, Rex FeaturesChesterfield were celebrating the National League title this time last year and there is a chance they can make it back-to-back promotions with an appearance in the EFL play-offs for the first time since 2015.
"At one point it looked unlikely - on the journey back from Colchester (lost 1-0 in March) we didn't really see the season finishing like it has done and the players deserve every credit for turning it around," assistant boss Danny Webb told BBC Radio Sheffield, external.
"It's an exciting end to the season and the supporters have got something to dream about."
The Spireites lost just one of their final 13 games while Walsall only won one of their last 14 but Webb isn't expecting that to have any bearing on the tie.
"They finished higher in the league than us and so have had a better season - we've scored and conceded a similar number of goals," he said.
"It's two different styles but it should be a really good game - yes, they haven't finished how they started but they've won their last game so bring it on."
Chesterfield v Walsall (15:30 BST)
Stuart Maynard after Saturday's 1-0 defeat in the playoff semi-final. Pic: Dan Westwell
The winners of this tie will face either Notts County or AFC Wimbledon in the Wembley final on 26 May.
Yesterday the Dons grabbed a 1-0 lead to take into the second leg in London next Saturday.
The Notts County boss Stuart Maynard spoke to BBC Radio Nottingham after the game and you can listen to his thoughts above.
The AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson told BBC Radio London:
"What we have done tonight is excellent and we have given ourselves a goal lead at half-time in the tie. They are a good side, this is by no means done and they are not going to lie down.
"I expect more of the same next week - they will come full throttle and put us under pressure. We will have to produce the type of attitude that we showed tonight to see it through."
Chesterfield v Walsall (15:30 BST)
Image source, Rex FeaturesWalsall fans were hoping not to be involved in the play-offs and, let's face it, they probably shouldn't be.
At the turn of the year they were 12 points clear at the top on the back of a 15-game unbeaten run which included eight wins on the bounce.
But, of the 21 matches they played from 25 January to the end of the regular season the Saddlers won only three times, and before the final day victory over Crewe which almost sneaked them back into third place, they went 13 without a win.
What makes things worse is, not only did Doncaster overturn a 12-point deficit to win the title, but Port Vale came back from 14 points behind and Bradford 17 to go past Walsall and gain automatic promotion.
The fact the players thought they might have fallen over the line with that win at Gresty Road only to hear the news Bradford had scored in the final seconds to beat Fleetwood, hardly helps the mindset to tackle a potential further three games to win a promotion which looked nailed on when we were ringing in 2025.
We are about to find out if the West Midlanders have recovered their composure...
Chesterfield v Walsall (15:30 BST)
Image source, Rex FeaturesThere are many cliches surrounding football, we've all been over the moon or sick as a parrot down the years to know that, right?
Well another one concerns getting into the play-offs late and with a bit of form behind you.
If that is true then Chesterfield might be a good bet to go all the way.
Having run away with the National League title last season the Spireites first campaign back in the EFL looked like being one of consolidation, especially when at the start of March they were 15th and 13 points outside the top seven.
Spin forward two months and with one defeat from 13 games here they are looking at a potential second successive promotion.
Thirty years ago Chesterfield were also at this stage and went all the way, beating Bury in the final to go up - that same year of 1995 Walsall also won promotion by finishing second - sadly at least one of these teams won't be as fortunate this time.
Chesterfield v Walsall (15:30 BST)
Image source, OptaChesterfield have named the same team which finished the regular season with that vital 1-0 win at Accrington.
Walsall's final day win at Crewe wasn't enough to secure third spot and boss Mat Sadler makes one change with Jamille Matt returning to skipper the side and Levi Amantchi dropping to the bench.
Image source, OptaChesterfield v Walsall (15:30 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesSo, here's how we got to this point.
Walsall spent the longest period of any team in the top three this season - a whopping 216 days but fell out at the most crucial time.
Of the sides finishing in the top seven, Chesterfield spent the fewest days there - just 46 while Barrow who finished 16th and Gillingham who came 17th were up there longer.
That gives you an idea of how these two might be feeling going into this tie.
Chesterfield v Walsall (15:30 BST)
Image source, rexHere we go then, day four of the EFL play-offs and today Chesterfield and Walsall fans get the chance to be put through the wringer.
Personally I can't think of a better way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon, can you?
Stay with us, we've got all bases covered...
Taylor Allen (right) celebrates putting Walsall ahead with his 11th goal of the season
Walsall made light of their dismal end to the League Two season to take a two-goal advantage into the second leg of their play-off semi-final with Chesterfield.
The away side, who won just three of their final 21 league games this season to drop from first to fourth, took the lead when Taylor Allen coolly slotted home from the penalty spot after Liam Mandeville had taken out Liam Gordon.
The Saddlers made it 2-0 before the break when Alfie Chang drilled home a fierce low shot from the edge of the area.
Tom Naylor and Aribim Pepple forced saves from Tommy Simkin in the Walsall goal either side of Ash Palmer's header which bounced off the crossbar but the home side could not find a goal to take into the second leg.
Mat Sadler's men will welcome the Derbyshire side to the Bescot Stadium for the second leg on Friday.
Chesterfield had claimed a league-high 28 points in their final 13 matches to snatch seventh place ahead of Salford City on the final day of the season last week.
In contrast, Walsall's season ended in heartbreaking fashion as their 1-0 win at Crewe Alexandra, a first since February, looked like being enough to see them go up automatically only for Bradford City to score in the final moments of time added on against Fleetwood Town to pip them to third.
The home side began on the front foot and enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the opening exchanges, as Simkin was called into action by Ryan Colclough's well-hit shot in the area.
However, the visitors won a penalty kick in one of their first real forays forward when Mandeville's attempt to cut out Allen's incisive pass into Gordon took out the Walsall man and Allen confidently scored from the spot.
That rocked Chesterfield and they fell further behind when Chang scored the first goal of his professional career after the hosts could only half clear Gordon's low ball into the middle.
Paul Cook's men, who are looking to win successive promotions having won the National League title last season, had the better of things after the break but the away side defended bravely and Stoke loanee Simkin did well when called upon.
The result means that of the five play-off first legs played so far not one has been won by the home side.
Chesterfield assistant manager Danny Webb told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"They played their style better than we played ours. We weren't quite on it.
"I'm disappointed that we didn't give something for the crowd to get excited about but it would have felt a lot worse if they had gone and got a third.
"At 2-0 at half-time in front of 9-10,000 people we could have buckled and the players didn't. They stuck with it.
"We'll all give it the cliche that it's only half-time in the tie and we have to stick to that. We knew if we were 2-0 up today that if Walsall got the first goal after one minute in the next game then we're under pressure, same with them.
"A lot of the Walsall fans think they're there so let them think that. We have to go there and prove them wrong."
Walsall boss Mat Sadler told BBC WM:
"I thought we played well. We started a bit edgy but we grew into the game.
"There were some really good performances so I have to be pleased with that, but it's nothing yet because there's half of the game to go.
"The group never gives up and never feels sorry for itself. We're fighters and I thought that was a fighting performance from us today.
"I'm so pleased for Alfie [Chang]. I knew when we signed him where he was at with his recovery and we're seeing the benefits of him being fit now."
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | 24 | 12 | 10 | 73 | 50 | 23 | 84 |
| |
| 46 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 65 | 46 | 19 | 80 |
| |
| 46 | 22 | 12 | 12 | 64 | 45 | 19 | 78 |
| |
| 46 | 21 | 14 | 11 | 75 | 54 | 21 | 77 |
| |
| 46 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 56 | 35 | 21 | 73 |
| |
| 46 | 20 | 12 | 14 | 68 | 49 | 19 | 72 |
| |
| 46 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 73 | 54 | 19 | 70 |
| |
| 46 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 64 | 54 | 10 | 69 |
| |
| 46 | 20 | 8 | 18 | 61 | 67 | -6 | 68 |
| |
| 46 | 16 | 19 | 11 | 52 | 47 | 5 | 67 |
| |
| 46 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 64 | 59 | 5 | 66 |
| |
| 46 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 71 | 63 | 8 | 62 |
| |
| 46 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 49 | 48 | 1 | 62 |
| |
| 46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 60 |
| |
| 46 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 60 | 70 | -10 | 60 |
| |
| 46 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 52 | 50 | 2 | 59 |
| |
| 46 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 41 | 46 | -5 | 58 |
| |
| 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 43 | 61 | -18 | 53 |
| |
| 46 | 14 | 10 | 22 | 52 | 66 | -14 | 52 |
| |
| 46 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 45 | 65 | -20 | 51 |
| |
| 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 53 | 69 | -16 | 50 |
| |
| 46 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 52 | 76 | -24 | 49 |
| |
| 46 | 10 | 12 | 24 | 44 | 71 | -27 | 42 |
| |
| 46 | 10 | 6 | 30 | 40 | 72 | -32 | 36 |
|
Manager: Paul Cook
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Mat Sadler
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Paul Cook
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Mat Sadler
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
League Two
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Chesterfield have won just one of their last seven games across all competitions against Walsall (D3 L3), a 2-0 home victory in August 2016 in League One.
Walsall have won only one of their last eight away games against Chesterfield in all competitions (D4 L3), a 4-1 victory in League One in March 2016.
Chesterfield finished the season unbeaten across their final six league games (W3 D3), while across their final 13 league games of the season only lost once (W8 D4).
Walsall ended the League Two season winning just one of their final 14 games (D8 L5), beating Crewe Alexandra 1-0 on the final day of the regular season. Â
This will be the fourth time that Chesterfield have participated in the Football League play-offs and first time since the 2014-2015 season. After progressing to the final in each of their first two campaigns (1989-90 & 1994-95), the Spireites lost at the semi-final stage 4-0 to Preston North End in their most recent appearance in 2014-15 in League One.
This will be Walsall’s fifth time in the Football League play-offs and first time since 2015-16 in League One, losing 6-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals to Barnsley. The only previous time they’ve been in the play-offs in the fourth tier was 1992-93, and were eliminated 9-3 on aggregate in the semi-finals against Crewe. Â
Only play-off semi-final opponents Walsall (75) scored more goals in League Two this season than Chesterfield (73) from an xG of 62.98, the fourth-biggest overperformance of any side in the league during the regular season (10.02).
Walsall scored more goals from set pieces than any other side in League Two during the regular season (25), with no player recording more goal involvements from set pieces than the Saddlers’ Taylor Allen (7 goals, 3 assists), including three direct free-kick goals.
