Danny Webb admits Chesterfield’s win against Cheltenham could prove ‘crucial’

Chesterfield assistant manager Danny Webb reflected on three “crucial” points as Chesterfield beat Cheltenham 1-0 to maintain their bid to secure a play-off place.

Will Dickson struck in the first half to earn the Spireites a win that took them back into League Two’s top seven.

Webb said: “It was a must-win, let’s not beat around the bush. As the season goes on, the points are massive, and at this point where we are, the three are crucial to where we are on this quest.

“We probably should have put the game to bed. We missed a few chances and hit the post a few times. There was a lack of ruthlessness at times, which we have been guilty of a few times.

“The three points are massive, but it’s great to get another clean sheet. We’ve all been critical of how many goals we’ve conceded, so that’s two on the trot now, credit to the boys.

“We wanted to go and put it to bed because we haven’t been doing that recently, but we also have been guilty of not seeing games out at 1-0 too many times this season.

“At both ends of the pitch we could be better, otherwise we’d be up there at the top of the league.

“To look at the league table and see us in seventh position hopefully makes the supporters’ Bank Holiday weekend that little bit sweeter.”

Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill believed a two-week gap between fixtures did not help preparations and felt his side lacked “rhythm”.

He said: “We could have got a draw out of it in the end. They’re a good team, that’s the bottom line.

“We knew when we were coming here today that we were going to have it all on. I don’t think we had that rhythm that we had when we stopped a couple of weeks ago.

“We always know it’s a tough game here. I’ve watched a lot of their games and they’ve dominated some teams here, some good teams. I don’t think they’ve done that to us today.

“They’ve had a few opportunities, but at the end of the day, we could have scored against them right at the death.

“All in all, the lads gave everything without being as sharp as they have been. So you feel the lay-off really hasn’t helped.

“I actually think it was a good game of football if you’re looking at the conditions. The pitch was lovely. I can’t really have a go at them today for lack of effort or anything like that.

“I’m disappointed for them because they’ve left it all out there, and they’ve lost 1-0.”