CHESTERFIELD, England (Interstat) — A second-half goal from defender Sam Curtis proved decisive as Chesterfield opened its League Two season with a 1-0 victory over Gillingham on Tuesday afternoon at SMH Group Stadium.

The match, played Feb. 17, 2026, before a home crowd in Derbyshire, was a tightly contested affair that ultimately swung in Chesterfield’s favor thanks to a 74th-minute strike from an unlikely source. The result gave Chesterfield an immediate three points to start the campaign, while Gillingham began with a defeat.

The game unfolded as a defensive struggle for long periods, with clear-cut chances at a premium for both sides. The first half passed without a goal, though it was not without incident. Gillingham substitute Omar Beckles was shown a yellow card in the 23rd minute, and Chesterfield substitute Remeao Hutton followed him into the referee’s book eight minutes later.

The deadlock was broken in the 76th minute. The Chesterfield attack was fueled by its substitutes, as Beckles and Hutton combined to set up the winning play. Beckles, who had entered the match earlier, provided the initial assist, finding Hutton in space on the flank. Hutton then delivered a precise cross into the area, where fellow substitute Ethan Coleman deftly touched the ball into the path of the advancing Curtis. The defender made no mistake with his finish, slotting the ball home to give Chesterfield the lead.

Coleman was also booked in the 88th minute as Chesterfield worked to see out the result, but Gillingham could not find an equalizer in the closing stages.

The victory aligned with pre-match projections from Interstat’s ELO system, which gave Chesterfield a 74.50 percent probability to win. However, it defied the organization’s game simulator, which had predicted a 1-1 draw.

With the win, Chesterfield’s record in League Two play improved to one win and no losses. Across all competitions this season, the club now holds an identical perfect mark. Gillingham, meanwhile, fell to 0-1 in the league and 0-1 in all competitions.

The match highlighted the impact of Chesterfield’s bench, with all three substitutes involved in the game’s only goal. Curtis, typically tasked with defensive duties, emerged as the match-winner, while the contributions of Beckles, Hutton and Coleman were instrumental in breaking down a stubborn Gillingham defense.