DROYLSDEN'S dreams of making FA Cup history are still alive after they were dramatically spared a likely second round exit by floodlight failure.

The Bloods were 2-0 down and seemingly on their way out when two of the four pylons failed in the 72nd minute, plunging half of their Butcher's Arms ground into darkness.

Referee Colin Webster immediately called a halt while Droylsden sought an electrician to try to fix the problem.

But after a 20-minute delay and with the lights still out, he finally led the players off the pitch and abandoned the tie, leaving the teams to try again next Tuesday.

It was tough on Chesterfield, who appeared in complete control after goals by Jack Lester and Darren Currie had put them within sight of a third round trip to Ipswich.

But Droylsden, who have never reached round three in their 116-year history, will perhaps feel justice has been done after their original clash with the Spireites was controversially cut short due to fog with the Bloods 1-0 up.

Droylsden boss Dave Pace had resisted the temptation to recall fit-again defender Mike Byron to stand by the team who'd covered themselves in glory by holding Chesterfield to a 2-2 draw at Saltergate to secure last night's replay.

And his plucky part-timers soon had their league two opponents reeling as twice inside the first 10 minutes they came close to snatching the lead.

Chesterfield keeper Page was forced into a desperate clearance to keep out Matthew Tipton's angled shot after Droylsden's first round scoring hero against Darlington had burst menacingly on to a Neil Prince pass.

Tipton then teed up Prince after visiting keeper Tommy Lee's miscued clearance had fallen straight to him.

But Prince's shot lacked both pace and direction, enabling the relieved goalie to make a comfortable save.

Droylsden were, though, sometimes living dangerously at the back, with Chesterfield dangerman Jamie Ward causing them plenty of problems and, after Blood's deadball specialist Sean Newton had brought a fingertip save from Lee with a dipping 25-yard free-kick, it was Ward's co-striker Lester who stunned Droylsden by giving Chesterfield a 26th-minute lead.

There appeared little danger when he first latched on to Ward's headed knockdown, but he brilliantly twisted inside defenders Halford and Colin Cryan before curling a right-footed shot past a helpless Craig Mawson from 18 yards out.

Play was then held up briefly amid suggestions of a disturbance behind one of referee Webster's assistants.

Halford prevented Lester from making it 2-0 with a superb block, while, at the other end, Prince flashed a header narrowly wide.

But Chesterfield continued to look the more menacing and Mawson had to produce a fine low save to deny Ward on the stroke of half-time and keep the Bloods in with a fighting chance.

The visitors did, however, take a firmer grip on the tie by doubling their lead in the 52nd minute. Droylsden were slow to clear a corner on the right and, when Currie picked up the loose ball just outside the penalty area, he needed no second invitation in firing low inside Mawson's left-hand post.

Newton was off target with another free kick as the Bloods toiled to reduce the deficit.

Substitute Kevin Townson, a 65th-minute replacement for Prince, quickly had a chance to make a name for himself, but failed to control Carl Lamb's clever-headed pass and the opportunity was lost.

Newton again tested Lee with yet another free-kick, then the light's went out and Droylsden breathed again.

DROYLSDEN: Mawson 7, Brownhill 6, Newton 7, Cryan 6, Halford 7, Sorvel 6 (Tandy 55, 6), Beck 6, Brown 6, Tipton 6, Lamb 6, Prince 6 (Townson 64, 6). Subs not used: Pickford, Byron, Burbeary, Roche, Clancy.