Oldham Athletic

Matt Smith marked his first start of the season for Latics with the opening goal of their Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie at holders Chesterfield.

The striker clearly has a liking for the Proact Stadium as he also found the net on the ground last season when it was known at the B2net Stadium.

Latics had a great chance to take the lead after only one minute.

Robbie Simpson headed a cross into the path of Cristian Montano who flashed a shot into the side netting.

Simpson was hurt in the build up and had to go off for treatment for a facial cut.

Chesterfield's best early chance fell to Scott Boden, but his header was narrowly off target.

Latics created a number of half chances as Simpson, Winchester, Smith and Lee Croft all had goalbound shots blocked while Smith dragged a shot wide across the face of goal.

And it was Smith, whose aerial presence was continually troubling the Spireites, who broke the deadlock midway through the half with a well timed and directed far-post header from Croft's right-wing cross.

Latics were almost punished following a defensive mix up, but Boden's chipped over the crossbar with keeper Dean Bouzanis well off his line.

Former Latics' player Neal Trotman saw a header float narrowly wide and a drive from Drew Talbot whizzed just past the upright as the Spireites looked for an equaliser.

Another great chance fell to Chesterfield on the stroke pf half time but Talbot blazed over from six yards when he ought to have found the target.

Half-time: Chesterfield 0, Latics 1.