Gary Roberts confident of Chesterfield progress

Chesterfield midfielder Gary Roberts has insisted that his side can still reach the League One playoff final, despite losing the first leg of their semi-final against Preston North End.

The Spireites were beaten 1-0 at the Proact Stadium on Thursday as Jermaine Beckford's goal proved the difference between the promotion rivals.

However, Roberts is confident that Chesterfield can turn the tie in their favour when they make the trip to Deepdale on Sunday.

"We know we can do it, we've shown we can," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "We are behind but we have been behind [at Deepdale] three times already this season and hit back so we know we are capable.

"We are still in the tie, it's only one goal. We go there on Sunday knowing that we have to win. It's a nice big pitch that will suit the way we play and we won't go there disheartened in the slightest, we're quietly confident."

Roberts has scored eight goals in 41 appearances for Chesterfield so far this season.