VETERAN Dean Windass secured Bradford's first home league win since September with a deft header to send the Spireites to defeat at the Bradford and Bingley Stadium.

Roy McFarland made the enforced change in midfield bringing in Mark Hughes for his third start in Spireite colours to replace the suspended Mark Allott, and Reuben Hazell again captained the side in Allott's absence. Colin Todd had suspension problems of his own to deal with replacing Steve Schumacher with youngster Craig Bentham getting his first start of the season, injured full back Ben Parker, was replaced by Matt Clarke

Colin Larkin had the first opportunity to test the home goalkeeper on two minutes a chance but his shot was blocked.  For the Bantams Jermaine Johnsons pace was quickly in evidence on the Spireites left flank with the young wide player skipping passed both Kevan Hurst and Phil Picken with the later adjudged to have fouled the winger. From the resultant free kick Dean Windass's shot was blocked.

Bradford continued to have the edge especially on the their right hand side with Derby loanee Nathan Doyle combing well with Jermaine Johnson. For the Spireites although the midfield did well to deny the home side space and time on the ball their own crisp passing of the previous week against Oldham was sadly missing with attacks breaking down rather easily.  Paul Shaw in particular did cause the home side problems with his movement but long range efforts from Derek Niven and Hurst at Donavan Ricketts goal didn't have the required power or accuracy to really trouble the Jamaican International custodian of the Bantams goal.

Spireites keeper Barry Roche had to be quick off the mark racing to the edge of his area to gather the ball at the feet of Windass and only great tackles by Aaron Downes on Tommy Black ensured the Spireites went into the break on level terms. Bradford shaded the first period and were perhaps hampered somewhat by Eddie Johnson picking up a leg injury towards the end of the half and he hobbled off the pitch at halftime

0-0

City boss Colin Todd made two changes at half time the clearly injured Eddie Johnson was replaced by David Graham and more surprisingly Tommy Black made way for Ben Muirhead. The Spireites now attacking the goal with 372 away supporters behind it had a Mark Hughes long range effort easily gathered by Ricketts.

The home side though gradually built up the pressure on the Spireites goal. Paul Shaw fouled Matt Clarke and Reuben Hazell fouled Windass who seemed to make a meal of the challenge and then sent a curling effort inches wide of Barry Roaches post. Bradford continued to dominate possession and the Spireites had little control of the ball in forward positions with Colin Larkin being particularly isolated and unable to get into the game.

Two more free kicks in the Spireite half resulted in balls being pumped into the Spireites box and only strong defending from Aaron Downes seemed to keep the Bantams at bay.  Phil Picken who had a tough time against Jermaine Johnson all afternoon brought the flying winger down on the Spireites left. Marc Bridge Wilkinson free kick eluded the Spireites defence and Dean Windass stole in to send a deft header passed Barry Roche 1-0 Bantams.

The Spireites tried to battle there way into the game Roy McFarland replaced midfielder Hughes for striker Wayne Allison with Shaw dropping into midfield. The Chief immediately gave the Spireites more of a threat in the final third of the pitch. In the sub's first touch he won a header and moments later the Chief saw a header, on target, from Hall's cross but again it posed few problems for Ricketts. Shaw almost put Larkin in after some neat build up play by Spireites but they were finding Wetherall and Bower a formidable barrier.

Jackson replaced Larkin, who'd been limping after an accidental clash with team-mate Shaw; the move saw the sub go to right wing and Hall move up front to partner Wayne Allison.

Muirhead missed an apparent sitter after a cross in was diverted straight to him as Bailey tried to intervene and with the task of scoring looking a formality, the City sub drove the ball wide of the goal

Jackson and Allison combined in the middle of the park, Hurst received and hit a strong shot on target but Ricketts was well placed to save in relative comfort.

Wetherall hauled Hall back as he burst forwards, Hurst took the kick but found no-one in blue in the crowded box, then Picken was booked for a foul on Jermaine Johnson.

Hurst got behind the defence after a pass by Hall but his cross was palmed away by Ricketts which was the first time the home keeper had really been tested.

David Wetherall was unfortunate to see his heard clip the top of Barry Roche's cross bar though Roche did appear to have it covered. The lively Jermaine Johnson was replaced by Tom Penfold on 88 minutes and Roy McFarland brought on Janos Kovacs for Paul Shaw and moments later the lively Jermaine Johnson was replaced by Tom Penfold for the home side

Full Time

1-0    Bantams

A disappointing afternoon we had hoped for a continuation of the fine passing and commitment from seven days earlier. Sadly that was not meant to be and Folan and Allott were perhaps missing which didn't help both the general play and options available especially ion the final third. But with both likely to return for next weekend's crunch game against Mark Hudson's struggling Huddersfield Town we can hope for some pre Christmas cheer.

Bradford: Ricketts, Doyle, Wetherall, Bower, Clarke, Jermaine Johnson (Penford 88), Bridge-Wilkinson, Bentham, Black (Muirhead 46), Windass, Eddie Johnson (Graham 46).
Subs Not Used: Howarth, Edghill.

Booked: Bentham.

Goals: Windass 57.

Chesterfield: Roche, Bailey, Downes, Hazell, Picken, Hall, Hughes (Allison 63), Niven, Hurst, Shaw (Kovacs 88), Larkin (Jackson 72).
Subs Not Used: Jordan, Davies.

Booked: Picken.

Att: 7,228