James Meredith - League debut
James Meredith came in for his League debut at left back with Phil Picken moving position into the engine room to deputise for the suspended Derek Niven. Former Rover Wayne Allison's on the bench with Paul Shaw coming in to the starting line up alongside Colin Larkin.
Rovers began the game making several unforced errors, Hall and Larkin combined but Goodision cleared, Stockdale then sliced a high hack-out that forced his own keeper Ward to intervene before Ellison put the ball into the net, but he was well offside as the early flag indicated.
Taylor headed a McLaren free kick towards the bottom corner but Roche flung himself right to make a magnificent save and Goodison blew it from the rebound, actually missing the ball totally whilst a foot out. Taylor's aerial power was again evident when he headed just over from a McLaren corner.
MULLIN scored on 21 after Downes and Meredith got in each others way and the ex Miller drove in an unstoppable shot from an unmarked position.
Shuker whipped a cross in that went through a crowd before McCready shoved Shaw at the other end, big shouts from the Spireites fans, no pen.
A Hall header almost was hooked in by Shaw and a pinball move ended with Bailey drilling in the perfect cross but no toe end was evident and a great chance was lost.
Sherriff rattled the post on 45 and followed that up with a long ranger that Roche caught.
HALF TIME
TRANMERE 1 CHESTERFIELD 0
Holmes had a 20 yarder saved and Meredith got in behind the back four but his cross was dealt with well by Ward.
Spireites missed a golden opportunity on 54 when a dreadful backpass by fresh on McAteer went straight to Larkin, miles from any defender, but his shot hit the inside of the post and bounced clear, the best chance you're ever likely to get.
Plenty of Chesterfield possession but little threat at this stage whilst Ellison, Shuker and McAteer combined to force Downes to block.
Taylor missed a great chance after McAteer and Shuker teed him up but the striker was unable to capitalise and the ball drifted wide.
The Chief came on and immediately won a free kick but Ward caught Holmes' delivery.
GREENACRE tapped into an open goal on 72 after Shuker saw off Meredith as the youngster slipped badly and the points opportunity disappeared.
Jackson made a difference but there were few chances to get back into the game and the final scoreline saw the better side take the points.
FULL TIME
TRANMERE ROVERS 2 CHESTERFIELD 0
Attendance 6254 (154 from Town)
Chesterfield line up
Roche
Bailey Downes Grimaldi Meredith
Hall Picken Allott Holmes
Larkin Shaw
Subs: Jordan, Jackson, Hazell, Critchell, Allison
Tranmere Rovers
Ward
Stockdale McCready Goodison Sherriff
Shuker Mullin McLaren Ellison
Greenacre Taylor
Subs: Hinchcliffe, Davies, Zola, McAteer, Tremarco
Ref: G Sutton (LIncoln)
