Chesterfield manager Paul Cook was delighted with his team’s work ethic and resilience as they moved into the Sky Bet League 1 Play-Off places with a 1-0 win at Bradford City on Tuesday night.
Both teams knew a victory would allow them to leapfrog Rochdale into sixth, and Byron Harrison’s first Chesterfield goal just before half-time was enough to separate the teams at the Coral Windows Stadium.“I’m delighted and the players must take all the credit,” Cook told Spireites Player after the game. “We were disappointed with Saturday’s performance but we were magnificent tonight.
“Not many teams have come here and won and we showed character, work ethic and desire. Byron got his first goal for us so all in all it’s a great night but there’s a long way to go.”
Cook had plenty of praise for Harrison following his match-winning strike, but also reserved a word for the rest of the team, as well as the travelling support.
“Byron [Harrison] was excellent tonight and he showed people why we signed him. Football’s tough and sometimes it doesn’t happen in a week or two and you need some time to settle.
“I’m delighted for all the players. Ian Evatt and Ritchie Humphreys were outstanding and our supporters travelled in great numbers with a bit more belief that the season isn’t quite over yet.
“We gave the players a day off to freshen them up and it worked but now we must follow it up at Yeovil. It’s crucial that our supporters stay with us and travel with us because there’s so much to play for.”
The win against the Bantams gives Chesterfield a narrow one-point cushion in the Play-Off places, and Cook is taking nothing for granted at this stage.
He does, however, want his players and supporters to show belief for the final seven games of the season.
“You could see the belief the supporters had and we have the fourth highest travelling support in the league, and that’s credit to them.
“With a couple of wins quickly we could find ourselves in an unbelievable position, but we aren’t stupid and we know with a couple of defeats we could be in mid-table. That’s just the nature of the league, but why not believe? I believe and the players do too.”