The Spirites boosted their relegation survival last weekend with a victory over newly crowned Johnstone's Paint Trophy Winners Barnsley, winning at Oakwell by two goals to one. It was the Blues second successive victory on the trot having recorded a 4-2 win at home to Port Vale previously, and has seen their form guide improve with two wins, and two draws from their last six league outings. More importantly the win in South Yorkshire craeted a four point gap between themselves and Blackpool, whom currentlt hold the last relegation spot.
Chesterfield held on with 10 men to secure a precious 2-1 win at Barnsley. Lee Novak headed the Spireites in front before Adam Hammill's deflected effort brought the scores level. Jamal Campbell-Ryce was then sent-off before Ollie Banks scored the winner. Gboly Ariyibi delivered a cross which went over everybody but Novak (57), whose header found the bottom-left corner, leaving Adam Davies helpless. Hammill (75) equalised for the hosts when he went on a superb run through the middle before his shot from outside the box was deflected past Tommy Lee.
Campbell-Ryce (78) was then sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. After some great work down the left, Ariyibi laid the ball into the path of Banks (81), who smashed it into the back off the net. Barnsley threatened late on when Hammill ran across the box and saw his effort cleared off the line by Sam Hird as the visitors held on.
Dion Donohue could return to the Chesterfield squad after missing out last weekend with a hamstring problem. However, fellow defender Liam O'Neil will miss the next few weeks with the ankle sprain that ruled him out of the comeback victory over Port Vale. Chris Herd is fit and pushing for a recall after being on the bench against Vale, as are Jay O'Shea and Gboly Ariyibi - both of whom scored following their introduction as substitutes in that 4-2 success.
Meanwhile, Ian Evatt (Achilles), Angel Martinez (knee) and Dan Jones are all out for the rest of the season as the Spireites, managed by former Blades boss Danny Wilson, battle to preserve their Sky Bet League One status. Jamal Campbell-Ryce, currently on-loan to Chesterfield from Sheffield United will miss out after picking up two yellow cards at Oakwell last weekend.
Picture: Chesterfield's Jamal Campbell Ryce (left) and Fleetwood Town's Stefan Scougall battle for the ball, both are on loan to their respective clubs from Sheffield United.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Chesterfield 1 Sheffield United 2
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