Spireites striker Jamie Ward has had his first taste of competitive football for two months in a reserve game against Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday.

He played as planned for sixty minutes of the game with no adverse reaction.

His last competitive game was back in August against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in the Carling Cup when he limped off with a pulled hamstring.

He rejoined first team training only last week following a scan.

The reserve team also included a couple of trialists, and a number of first year youth team players.  Other senior players involved included Wayne Allison, Kevin Gray, Alan O'Hare, along with Jamie Winter and Jamie Lowry.

The game, which was played at Saltergate, ended in a 3 nil victory for a strong looking Crewe side, which was accompanied by their technical director, Dario Gradi MBE.

Shaun Miller scored a first-half brace and Mark Carrington got Crewe's third late on.

Reserve team coach Wayne Allison said: "Apart from the result it was a good game against a good side which passed and moved well.  I was pleased how we tried to do things well and the boys certainly got something out of it." 

Chesterfield team: Michael Jordan , Jamie Lowry , Kevin Gray (sub A J Smith 75 inj), trialist, Alan O'Hare , Trialist, Jamie Winter , Ryan Jones (sub Alex Winfield 80), Jamie Jackson , Wayne Allison , Jamie Ward (sub Ross Burns 60).

Interview with Wayne Allison coming up shortly on Spireites World Radio.