Kieron Dyer lauds ‘unbelievable’ Ryan Boot after Chesterfield beat Grimsby

Coach Kieron Dyer admitted Ryan Boot’s stoppage-time penalty save “felt like a last-minute winner” as Chesterfield took a huge step towards the League Two play-offs after beating nearest rivals Grimsby 2-1.

Liam Mandeville and Lee Bonis put Chesterfield in control before Jaze Kabia replied for the visitors.

Then, deep into time added on, Boot produced a save from 12 yards for the second week running when he denied Reece Staunton after Justin Amaluzor was fouled by Janoi Donacien.

Dyer said: “It was a really exciting game. Similar to Notts County, they’re a team that wants to win and come at us.

“Those last 10 seconds summed it up really. It felt like a last-minute winner, the save. What a way to win a game!

“You think we’ve done all that hard work and we’re going to lose it at the end and then ‘Booty’, fair play to him, he’s come in and been unbelievable for us.

“You could see what it meant to the crowd, the bench and the players.

“We were in complete control of the game, and then again that dreaded moment before half time, they get a goal from a set-piece, and then you’re always thinking ‘what if?’

“Second half, we had a few chances to wrap up the game, which has probably been our Achilles heel.

“Then when they get a penalty in the last minute of the game, you’re just demoralised, and you’re just thinking that it’s out of your hands now. But what an ending and it’s in our hands now.”

Grimsby manager David Artell admitted his players were dejected after they missed an opportunity to grab a crucial point in their pursuit of a play-off place.

He said: “First half, we weren’t at the races against the ball, I thought our out-of-possession shape has ultimately cost us the game.

“We’ve hit the bar, and we’ve missed a penalty – we definitely should have at least got a point from the game.

“But it is what it is, we’ll dust ourselves off, roll our sleeves up and go again.

“They’re dejected. It’s as simple as that, but we will pick them up on Thursday before a long trip to Gillingham.

“You have to give the keeper a huge amount of credit, as it was a good penalty and it was an outstanding save. He saved one last week and one this week, so he is obviously decent at them.

“It happens. There’s no blame attached to Reece; he put his hand up to take one, and that happens in football.”