Ten-man Salford salvage point at Chesterfield with late equaliser

Posted Sunday, August 25, 2024 by PA

Salford substitute Kelly N’Mai scored a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for the 10-man Ammies at Chesterfield.

Promoted Chesterfield looked set to claim the three points after taking a 69th-minute lead through James Berry and then seeing Salford lose Curtis Tilt to a red card moments later.

However, M’Bai struck with four minutes remaining – Salford’s first goal of the season – to earn the visitors their second point of the campaign.

Unbeaten Chesterfield, looking to build on their 5-0 mauling of Crewe last weekend, appealed for a penalty midway through the first half when Dilan Markanday went down inside the area but referee Richie Watkins was unmoved.

There was a good chance for Salford to take the lead when Conor McAleny found himself in on goal, only to shoot wide.

Armando Dobra and Josh Austerfield clashed just after the hour mark as tempers frayed, leading to a melee before both players were booked.

Berry then struck the opener with a fine finish, cutting inside from the left and firing a shot into the bottom corner.

Salford suffered another blow in the 71st minute when Tilt received a second yellow card following an off-the-ball clash with Will Grigg, moments after dissent had seen him pick up his first booking.

But Chesterfield were unable to make their advantage count as N’Mai equalised with a shot from inside the area after creating space for himself on the left-hand side.