Molyneux treble downs Spireites

Lee Molyneux scored a first-half hat-trick for 10-man Accrington as they stunned League Two title chasers Chesterfield 3-1.

Stanley had to play for an hour with a numerical disadvantage after midfielder Peter Murphy was booked twice - the second tackle seeing Dan Gardner stretchered off. The home side were already 2-0 up at that stage after winger Molyneux, on loan from Crewe, opened the scoring with a fourth-minute 20-yard free-kick which tucked into the bottom of the net. Then after nine minutes Ritchie Humphreys tripped Stanley's Will Hatfield in the penalty area and referee Scott Mathieson pointed to the spot. Danny Webber saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Tommy Lee but Molyneux followed up to make it 2-0. Stanley were reduced to 10 men after 32 minutes when Murphy was shown a second yellow card for his challenge on Gardner, who was replaced by Marc Richards. Chesterfield huffed and puffed but, during seven minutes of injury time, a mistake at the back from Sam Morsy gifted the ball for Molyneux, who stroked home from 15 yards for his hat-trick. Chesterfield boss Paul Cook was apparently sent to the stands at half-time, coming after he had shown his fury at a number of the referee's decisions. Cook's side upped the pressure after the break, pushing defender Ian Evatt up front, and he pounced on a poor clearance after 85 minutes to fire home a consolation for the visitors.