Paul Cook’s Chesterfield always seem to provide Bromley with stern opposition, and so it proved in a competitive match at Hayes Lane as Bromley secured another precious point against promotion-chasing opposition.

Andy Woodman’s team will rue missing out on the win, however, as uncharacteristic defensive lapses handed the Spireites a share of the points. Bromley have only lost one league game in nine so far this season but five of those matches have now ended in draws.

Elerewe and Krauhaus returned to the starting line for Bromley with Krauhaus in an advanced position supporting Cheek and Kabamba. Bromley started well and came close in the 11th minute when Pinnock’s curling cross from the left just evaded Cheek but fell into the path of Ifill at the back post who managed to get a foot on the ball to test keeper Hemming from close range.

Bromley took the lead in the 16th minute when a Charles free kick from a central position just inside the Chesterfield half was floated into the box. Cameron outmuscled three defenders finding Cheek at the far post.

Cheek stretched out a leg behind him to somehow arc the ball back across the goal in slow motion over the keeper who watched the ball nestle snugly into the bottom corner of the net.

Bromley continued to play with high tempo and energy particularly in midfield and looked the team more likely to score.

The Spireites defenders were forced into several robust challenges as Bromley threatened, picking up a series of bookings.

Although Chesterfield enjoyed a lot of possession, they could not break down a hard-working and organised Bromley. 

In the 39th minute another Chesterfield attack faltered, and the ball was played back to keeper Hemming, the keeper was pressured into sending a long hopeful clearance deep into the Bromley half on the right.

Odutayo inexplicably found himself on the wrong side of veteran striker Will Grigg who turned gleefully and pinged a pinpoint pass across the box to an unmarked Dobra who slotted easily past Smith to level the match.

The second half resumed with both teams’ lacking fluidity, but it was Bromley again making the running in the 57th minute, following good work from Krauhaus to retrieve possession, the same player raced forward only for his low shot to be deflected wide by a lunging Dunkley.

Three minutes later Krauhaus teed up Pinnock for a shot on the left only for his fierce effort to be deflected out by Daley-Campbell for a corner.

The Ravens had a good chance in the 63rd minute when Pinnock whipped in a low cross from the left which was met first time by Cheek who side-footed his shot straight into the hands of Hemming. 

Bromley pressed the self-destruct button in the 67th minute when Krauhaus lost possession in the Bromley area. Dobra cleverly slipped the ball across to Mandeville who found himself in acres of space and calmly slotted the ball past a motionless Grant to make it 2-1 to Chesterfield.

Woodman reacted with three substitutions sending on Ilunga, Arthurs and Dinanga and Ilunga made an immediate impression as he beat his man and jinked down the left wing. Chesterfield followed suit with three changes in the 75th minute and following a great run by one of those changes, Markanday, Chesterfield almost increased their lead but for two smart saves by Smith at close range.

Bromley grabbed a crucial equaliser in the 79th minute. Pinnock’s corner was met by the hapless Dunkley who saw his header crash past Hemming into his own net to score an unfortunate own goal.

The Ravens survived a scare in the 81st when an excellent cross from Markanday seemed destined for Bonis who was unmarked in the Bromley penalty area, but the ball just evaded Bonis’ outstretched leg and squirmed past to safety.

The final chance of the match again fell to Chesterfield who won a freekick in a central area just outside the box following a foul by Odutayo.

The crowd let out a collective sigh of relief as Berry blazed the free kick wildly over the bar.

Bromley head to the County Ground to face fourth-placed Swindon Town on Saturday. Their next home game is against Tranmere on 4th October, and the game is expected to mark the opening of the impressive-looking new East Stand.

Bromley Starting XI: Smith, Elerewe, Charles (70 Arthurs), Cameron (c), Krauhaus (80 Thompson), Cheek, Pinnock, Kabamba (70 Dinanga), Whitely, Ifill (Ilunga 70), and Odutayo.

Unused subs: Long, Sowunmi, and Hondermarck.

Chesterfield Starting XI: Hemming, Daley-Campbell (75 Tanton), Dunkley (c), McFadzean, Gordon, Naylor, Stirk, Mandevillle (75 Markanday), Darcy (83 Berry), Dobra (83 Dickson) and Grigg (75 Bonis).

Unused subs: Grimes, and Fleck.Referee: Carl Brook.