ROB MCELHENNEY is still waiting to see his first win after Wrexham went down to Chesterfield in the big National League showdown.

Co-chairman McElhenney, star of comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, was at the Technique Stadium to see his first game of the season but the Reds were beaten 2-0.

Both teams, expected to challenge for the title, went into the clash with an identical record after taking four points from a possible to remain unbeaten and joint top of the table.

But Wrexham, who drew 1-1 at Yeovil on Saturday after kicking off a 15th campaign in non-league with a 2-1 home win against Eastleigh, suffered a first defeat of 2022-23 following a poor first half performance.

Although there were some promising moments going forward, Wrexham struggled defensively and the Spireites, playing some brilliant football and causing lots of problems on the attack, took advantage.

Paul Cook's men scored twice and could have led by more at the break after creating a number of good chances.

The opportunities kept coming for Chesterfield in the second half and Wrexham didn't test home goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons all game.

Manager Phil Parkinson made four changes from the side that were held by Yeovil at the weekend.

The Reds' boss elected to alter both wing-backs as Bryce Hosannah took over from Anthony Forde on the right and Callum McFadzean came in for Jacob Mendy on the opposite flank.

The other two changes were in midfield with Tom O'Connor, absent at Huish Park after sustaining a groin injury against Eastleigh, and James Jones returning in place of captain Luke Young and Jordan Davies.

Davies and Mendy were named on the substitutes bench but there was no place in the matchday squad for Young and Forde.

An early Jeff King cross was punched clear by Mark Howard for the hosts but Wrexham responded with Hosannah advancing into the area and winning a corner which came to nothing.

However, Chesterfield took a 10th minute lead.

Liam Mandeville picked out Jeff King who beat his man on the by-line and cut inside before the right-back fired past Howard.

It was nearly 2-0 as the Spireites once again carved open the Wrexham defence but Akwasi Asante's low drive struck the post, and the Reds managed to clear the loose ball.

Paul Mullin wanted a penalty when he was impeded by Tyrone Williams but referee Steve Copeland wasn't convinced

However, Chesterfield doubled their lead in the 23rd minute following a mistake.

Howard came out of his area to clear but Armando Dobra took the ball off the goalkeeper and fed Ollie Banks who clipped the ball over players in the box and into the back of the net.

Chesterfield continued to press and Banks saw a free-kick well saved by Howard and the midfielder again tried his luck with an effort from outside the area which only just fell wide.

Dobra only just cleared the bar after good work by King while Mullin fired wide with the last opportunity of a disappointing first half for Wrexham.

Another shot by Dobra was off target when the second half got underway while Parkinson made a double change after 57 minutes with Davies and Mendy replacing Elliot Lee and McFadzean respectively.

But the chances kept going to Chesterfield with Joe Quigley's drive parried by Howard, and the Reds' goalkeeper pulled off an ever better save to deny Mandeville.

Parkinson made his final change on 76 minutes, handing striker Sam Dalby his debut in place of Hossanah.

Chesterfield looked more likely to trouble the scoreline with Howard again doing well to keep out Jamie Grimes' effort, but the Spireites had already done enough.

Chesterfield (4-2-3-1): Fitzsimons; King, Williams, Grimes, Horton; Oldaker, Banks; Dobra (Cooper 83), Asante (Jones 83), Mandeville; Quigley. Subs not used: Maguire, Clarke, Tshimanga.

Wrexham (5-3-2): Howard; Hosannah (Dalby 76), Hayden, Tozer, Cleworth, McFadzean (Mendy 57); James Jones, O'Connor, Lee (Davies 57); Mullin, Palmer. Subs not used: Watson, Tunnicliffe.

Attendance: 8.057 (1,852 from Wrexham).