One of the newest league clubs travelled to one of the oldest, as Yeovil Town locked horns with Chesterfield at a chilly Saltergate. Overnight snow was cleared off the effective covers in the morning revealing a pitch that looked in good condition.

The two teams could not have prepared differently for the tie, with Chesterfield enjoying a training camp in the Costa del Sol, whilst the Glovers spent a day at the Royal Marines HQ in Devon.

Steve Thompson changed his line-up considerably after defeat at Blackpool, with Tommy Doherty making his debut after joining the club on loan from Queens Park Rangers. Terry Skiverton returned from injury to play at the back, pushing Kevin Amankwaah into his more familiar right back position. Matty Harrold and Arron Davies completed the changes, forming a new look attack.

Chesterfield had only won once in the their last nine home games, but came into the game off the back of a resounding four-nil victory away at Rotherham. Prior to the match Thompson's men had been struggling for goals, and were sure to find the Spireites unwilling to end this drought.

The home team looked bright in the early stages, with their attacking play centring on left-sided midfielder Kevan Hurst. The silky Sheffield United loanee looked to test Yeovil down the right, pressurising well in the opening ten minutes.

The Glovers suffered a blow after 11 minutes, with Tommy Doherty being forced out of the game so soon into his debut. The former Northern Ireland international injured his right ankle in a seemingly innocuous 50-50 challenge, resulting in Paul Terry filling the role in the centre of the park.

Sixteen minutes into the game Yeovil had a superb opportunity to take the lead. Davies's persistence saw the Welshman dispossess Chesterfield 'keeper Carl Muggleton outside of his area. The forward crossed for Harrold, who could only head wide with the goal at his mercy.

In an open half Chesterfield were keeping the Yeovil defence on their toes and after 20 minutes came close from a corner. The curling set-piece was met by Paul Hall, who headed past the post to the left of Chris Weale.

Slack defending four minutes later saw Chesterfield create a chance from almost nothing. Chris Cohen failed to control the ball on the edge of his area, and Derek Niven nipped in with a rasping shot. Weale spilled the initial attempt, but smothered the loose ball with Hall lurking.

With 13 minutes left of the half Yeovil surged forward, with David Poole shrugging off blue shirts. His neat lay off to Davies saw the striker get behind the Chesterfield defence. Davies rolled the ball across to Harrold who disappointingly side-footed wide.

Four minutes later Yeovil took the lead using a direct approach, much to the delight of the Glovers fans and bench. A Weale clearance was athletically flicked on to Davies by Harrold, who sprinted through and toed the ball past a despairing Muggleton.

The elation of the goal soon disappeared, however, as Anthony Barry picked up a worrying and serious injury. The Liverpudlian fell awkwardly near the corner flag, and had to be stretchered off with his leg in a splint having suffered a suspected dislocated kneecap.

Deep into injury time Yeovil hit their opponents on the counter attack, with Amankwaah terrorising the Spireites with his pace. His forward run allowed Poole to cross for Amankwaah who brought the best from Muggleton with a header at the back post.

The half time whistle blew with Yeovil in the lead, but without two influential midfielders. Thompson will have been happy with how his side was playing, but can be forgiven for feeling disappointment that the lead was not bigger. The Yeovil defence stood strong against the Chesterfield attack and were required to constantly be at the top of their game.

Half Time: Chesterfield 0 Yeovil Town 1

Seconds after the restart Muggleton was again called into action in the Chesterfield goal. Nathan Jones's extravagant skill proved too much for his defender, and his cross was headed against the 'keeper by Skiverton.

Nine minutes into the half Poole tested the busy Chesterfield 'keeper with a shot from yet another piercing run. With the ball bobbling 14 yards from goal the winger did well to keep his shot down, as Muggleton saved diving to his left.

Ten minutes later the Glovers were again on the attack and were frustratingly close to a second. Cohen showed great bravery to charge down an attempted clearance with the ball spinning to Poole wide on the left. His waist-high cross flew across the box, as Davies flung himself at the ball in vain.

Midway through the half Chesterfield substitute Adam Smith fired into the away terrace from 18 yards. His speculative effort sailed narrowly over after he was given the time and space to turn and shoot.

As the half wore on chances became less frequent, with Chesterfield changing their personnel in order to provide greater options up front. However, the supply was often sloppy and the Glovers looked a hungry side when chasing the second ball.

Steve Thompson had his hand forced with the two injuries, limiting his substitution possibilities. With Chesterfield trying all they could to carve a chance Saltergate appeared eerily quiet, with the home crowd only really reacting to refereeing decisions that went against them.

With a minute of normal time on the clock the 277 travelling fans were sent into raptures as Davies doubled his tally with a fine strike. David Poole was again the thorn in Chesterfield's side, wriggling his way through his opponents. The ex-Manchester United youngster found Davies overlapping on the right, and the striker lashed the ball home giving Muggleton no chance.

Two minutes later Davies bundled a third, putting the tie beyond doubt. Terry's first cross from the right hit a Chesterfield defender, but the second ball in struck the advancing Davies, with the ball finding the net via his knee.

Boos reverberated around the ground at the final whistle, temporarily drowning the jubilant song of the Yeovil faithful. Goals came like buses today: you wait a month for one, then three come at once. Thompson's decision to lead the line with Arron Davies worked brilliantly, and Yeovil deserved the three points.

Despite a short spell where it appeared the Glovers still had their shooting demons, Yeovil continued to apply themselves and took advantage of a sloppy Chesterfield.

With important games against Swindon Town and Brentford looming Yeovil Town will be looking to string a run of results together and climb the table.

Full Time: Chesterfield 0 Yeovil Town 3

Report by Chris Sweet