THANKS BERRY MUCH! COOK'S BOYS BREAK A HOME RECORD

CHESTERFIELD moved a massive 16 points clear at the top of the National League – with two games in hand – after landing a record-breaking 18th successive win at the SMH Group Stadium.

- Kurt Bigg

James Berry gave the rampant Spireites the perfect start with a wonderfully-taken fourth-minute opener before second-half efforts from substitutes Joe Quigley and Armando Dobra made sure of a victory, which breaks a home record set way back in 1929-30 season.

Assistant boss Danny Webb reckons the result was more than deserved, but gave credit to a Southend side looking to complete a unique double over the table-toppers following their 2-1 win at Roots Hall back in November.

“I thought Southend were a good team – they gave us some real scares in the first half,” Webb said.

“However, the result doesn’t lie. We scored three and they scored none. That’s the right result.

“They beat us fair and square at their place, but we beat them fair and square here today.”