Chesterfield 0 Doncaster Rovers 0

Last updated : 23 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Doncaster became the first team to keep a clean sheet at Chesterfield as a keenly fought local derby ended goalless in the rain.

Despite the difficult conditions, both defences dominated throughout, although the best of chances were carved out by Doncaster.

Chesterfield's best moment came near the end when a deflected header from Mark Stallard was just saved from crossing the line by Andy Warrington.

But a draw was about right on a day when Doncaster passed the ball confidently in midfield and brought the best out of Carl Muggleton.

The Chesterfield goalkeeper made important saves in both halves while Warrington was not seriously called into action until near the end.

Certainly, Doncaster will take considerable heart from this display, which shows they are more than capable of competing in a tight division.

The defence always looked solid and the midfield kept Chesterfield's creators in check for most of the game.

With the exception of an overhead kick from Tcham N'Toya-Zoa which whistled just over the bar, there were few moments of concern fro the visitors in the first-half.

The Rovers fans who stood in the rain at the Cross Street End had more to cheer and it was the same after the break when Neil Roberts was denied by a sharp save from Muggleton.

As the game drifted towards stalemate, Chesterfield thought they had snatched it when Stallard's looping header had Warrington stretching desperately. Although he lost his footing, the linesman ruled that he did not carry the ball over the line.