Chesterfield manager James Rowe hits out at Hartlepool United's 'unacceptable' National League fixture rearrangement against Weymouth

The Spireites were 3-0 down at half-time following goals from Rhys Oates, a Josef Yarney own goal and Luke Armstrong.

Fraser Kerr did pull a goal back against his former club to make it 3-1 but at that point the damage was done and Chesterfield’s play-off charge took another hit.

It’s now just one defeat in six for Rowe’s side and the Chesterfield boss was quick to voice his frustration at Hartlepool’s fixture schedule that saw them with a two week break going into the game after their match at Weymouth was rearranged to the final game of the season on May 29.

"We certainly didn’t look like a team that’s contending for promotion,” Rowe told BBC Radio Sheffield.

“Having said that we are game after game and how their fixture got called off [last Saturday] I will honestly never know. It’s unacceptable that it’s been called off and they’ve come into this game with a two week break, it shouldn’t be happening.

“They set up well and knew our main ball handler was out in our back three so they pinned us down and came after us and won too many one v one battles.

"If you don’t win your individual battles, that’s what happens you concede three.

"They’ll say they sat off but we had them worried when we pulled one back. It’s one we’ve got to take on the chin and we’ve got to bounce back. It’s a poor performance and we’ve got to take that.”

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