DROYLSDEN boss Dave Pace paid tribute to Chesterfield’s sportsmanship after the League Two side had gifted his Blue Square North minnows a bizarre 82nd-minute equaliser to ensure their epic FA Cup adventure goes on.

Chesterfield chief Lee Richardson instructed his players to allow Bloods centre-half Steve Halford to advance from the halfway line and score unimpeded straight from the kick-off after Jack Lester had restored Chesterfield’s lead with a hugely controversial goal.

Lester enraged Droylsden by firing home from 30 yards after the visitors had put the ball out of play to allow their injured striker Carl Lamb to receive treatment.

Jamie Ward took the throw-in and found Lester, who, rather than return the ball to Droylsden, elected to curl a shot over the head of keeper Craig Mawson.

Droylsden protested furiously and play was held up for a full five minutes before referee Andy Woolmer was able to restore order.

Pace himself went on to the pitch to remonstrate with the official, who steadfastly refused to disallow Lester’s goal.

Sportingly

But, when Droylsden kicked off, Chesterfield’s players sportingly stood back to allow Halford to equalise.

Pace said: “Chesterfield did the proper thing in the end. We did exactly the same thing in a game at Worcester last season.

“Lester says he didn’t mean to do what he did. I’m not sure about that, but fair play to Lee Richardson because the right decision was made in the end.”

The draw was certainly no more than Droylsden deserved, for they had matched the home side throughout.

Ward stunned the Bloods when he latched on to keeper Trevor Carson’s long clearance to fire Chesterfield in front just after half an hour.

But Droylsden drew level four minutes after the restart with Alex Brown’s near-post header from Liam Brownhill’s right-wing cross looping into the far corner.

Chesterfield had started brightly and Colin Cryan had to react quickly in the fifth minute to block an angled shot from Ward.

Sank

But Chesterfield then had a let-off when Matthew Tipton, whose goal sank Darlington in the previous round, was only inches off target with a dipping 30-yard shot.

Mawson had to earn his corn when he dashed off his line to thwart Gregor Robertson with a smart save low to his right.

But there was nothing Mawson could do to prevent Chesterfield snatching a 32nd-minute lead with a ‘route one’ goal when Ward fired home first time from 18 yards.

Tipton wasted a glorious chance to equalise three minutes after the restart, shooting wide with only Carson to beat.

But Chesterfield’s reprieve was short-lived as Droylsden sensationally drew level just 60 seconds later with Brown’s header sailing past Carson.

It looked like the Bloods were on their way out when Lester controversially restored Chesterfield’s lead, but the home side’s sportsmanship ensured a replay at the Butchers Arms on Tuesday.

Lloyd Kerry and Ward both had chances to win it for Chesterfield in a frantic finish, but Droylsden gallantly held on.

DROYLSDEN: Mawson 8, Brownhill 7, Newton 7, Cryan 8, Halford 8 (Byron 83, 6), Sorvel 6 (Pickford 67, 6), Beck 7, Brown 8, Tipton 6, Lamb 6, Prince 6 (Townson 73, 6). Subs not used: Burbeary, Roche, Clancy, Tandy.