Chesterfield make winning start to season as Dilan Markanday goal sinks Barrow

Chesterfield made a winning start to the new campaign with Dilan Markanday’s first-half goal giving them a 1-0 victory over Barrow.

After a quiet start, Chesterfield’s Armando Dobra made a strong run before firing wide in the first meaningful attack of the game.

Will Grigg then put a tame header on target which was comfortably saved by Wyll Stanway.

As the hosts continued to press, Markanday put a curling effort just over.

Markanday found the net just before the interval when his near-post header from Dylan Duffy’s cross beat Stanway with the aid of a deflection.

Summer signing Lee Bonis became the third debutant of the afternoon for Chesterfield shortly after the hour mark, coming on in place of Grigg.

Chesterfield had a penalty appeal turned down when Ryan Stirk appeared to be fouled inside the area.

Barrow subsequently threatened to catch the home side on the break, with Innes Cameron finding himself through on goal, only to see keeper Zach Hemming save with his legs.