Lee Bonis strikes early as Chesterfield beat Salford
The Northern Ireland forward’s second-minute goal was enough to settle the match.
Lee Bonis scored the only goal as Chesterfield battled to a 1-0 win at Salford.
The Spireites opened the scoring in the second minute when Josh Koroma pounced on a defensive mix-up involving Ollie Turton and fired a shot across goal, which was parried into the path of Bonis who tapped home from close range.
A swift counter ended with Koroma flashing a shot over the crossbar before Bonis pickpocketed Salford goalkeeper Will Norris 25 yards out and fired narrowly wide of the empty net as Chesterfield threatened to add a second before half-time.
Norris made a smart diving save to keep out a glancing Bonis header from a Koroma cross three minutes after the break as the pair continued to lead the Spireites’ attack.
Northern Ireland international Bonis rifled a free-kick over the bar before Salford midfielder Ben Woodburn rattled the base of a post as both sides exchanged chances around the hour mark.
A raft of five Salford substitutions saw the home side grow into the game late on as Ryan Stirk headed a cross onto his own post in added time and Daniel Udoh fired wide, but Paul Cook’s men held their nerve to earn their first win of the League Two season.