FOOTBALL Conference chairman Brian Lee has praised Chesterfield for their decision to gift Droylsden a goal during last week’s FA Cup tie at Saltergate.

The Bloods were level at 1-1 when, having kicked the ball out of play so that one of their players could receive treatment for an injury, they were incensed by Jack Lester lobbing keeper Craig Mawson from the restart to put the Spireites 2-1 ahead.

A heated exchange then followed with the Droylsden camp angry that Lester had scored rather than follow conventional wisdom and give Droylsden the ball back from the subsequent throw-in.

Consequently, Chesterfield manager Lee Richardson told his players to allow Bloods skipper Steve Halford to advance unimpeded from the halfway line and score straight from the kick-off, restoring parity.

Mr Lee said: "There is a lot of controversy in the game of football at present concerning sportsmanship and the lack of it, but this act by Chesterfield proves it is still alive and well."

Tweet