CHESTERFIELD 0 CITY 1

CHESTERFIELD station rang to the tune of Chaka Khan.

Mark Marshall’s progress through the ticket barrier was accompanied by the “Ain’t Nobody” anthem that City fans have coined in his honour.

The winger looked a bit self-conscious as the tribute boomed from well-oiled West Yorkshire voices, waving politely as he sought the sanctuary of the London-bound platform on his way to going home to the family.

But even there he was serenaded across the tracks by those travelling the other way.

He won’t have minded one bit. The videos shared on social media after Saturday’s game were another demonstration of the tight bond between this team and its supporters.

However much Stuart McCall will continue to down-play City’s chances, this club right now are one heading firmly on the right track.

McCall is correct to pour cold water on any giddiness about their current league spot. Remember the first year back in League One when Phil Parkinson’s Bantams hit October in fourth – only to win once in the next four months.

But the post-match deluge over the Proact Stadium as the City boss carried out press duties was a reminder that autumn is well set in. We’re approaching the quarter point of the season, these are no longer “early days”.

The army of travelling fans, packing out the away end for the second week running, were in joyful mood. “Ginger Mourinho” was the chant towards McCall as well as the eternally-optimistic “we are going up”.

A bit premature for that, of course, but there is so much in this team’s favour right now.

It might sound cock-eyed but the most encouraging aspect is that they aren’t proving prolific scorers.

Only Bolton, who came up blank for the fourth game in a row, have scored fewer goals among the top eight. City’s tally of 13 is only two more than the astonishing Josh Morris has managed on his own.

So you wonder how far McCall’s men might be capable of going when they do discover their scoring boots. Someone sometime is surely going to get a thumping.

There was no lack of effort in the attacking department at Chesterfield. Nineteen shots at goal shows how dominant the visitors were for chunks of the game, particularly in the first half.

Opportunities had been at a premium in the “Parkinson derby” the Saturday before, but on this occasion City created them almost at will.

Deprived of James Hanson, once again, and Marc McNulty through injury, McCall put his faith in two strikers with fond memories of Chesterfield’s home.

Billy Clarke had talked before the game about bogey grounds and jinx clubs and how that can also work in reverse.

That was certainly the case as he had a big influence in City’s third 1-0 win in a row in this corner of Derbyshire.

Clarke had fired the only goal two years previously and set up Tony McMahon for the decisive effort last season.

So it was no surprise to see him feature prominently in this latest triumph on one of City’s most profitable away grounds.

Jordy Hiwula, too, has a decent track record at Chesterfield – and his failure to score for a third visit running for a third different loan club was not for want of trying.

Hiwula’s pace and Clarke’s guile is an effective mix on the road and they were too smart and sharp for the Spireites.

Nicky Law, back in the town where he grew up when his dad managed the local team, was at the forefront of everything positive about City.

If only he could get that elusive first goal...

And once they got Marshall on the ball more often, the Bantams were constantly prodding and probing for that breakthrough.

It came after 26 minutes from, of all things, a corner.

McCall admits City’s set-piece threat of late has been non-existent given the lack of height within the ranks. So they have to improvise, play it short, keep it low, anything other than put it in the mix and see it inevitably headed straight back out.

This time Law played it short to an alert Clarke as Chesterfield were caught momentarily off guard. The Irishman’s thumping finish flew into the roof of Ryan Fulton’s net before they could properly react.

City had already twice gone close before the goal, Tim Dieng fizzing one narrowly wide and Hiwula being denied by a deflection off centre half Sam Hird when he looked sure to score.

There were more anxious moments for the home side to follow, Fulton tipping Marshall’s rocket into the air and away and Law seeing another effort flash past the post.

For the second highest scorers at home, Chesterfield could offer only one real threat in response.

That came from a free-kick which Kristian Dennis arrowed over the wall towards the top corner.

Those City fans behind the goal expected it to hit the net but Colin Doyle flung himself left and stretched out an arm to tip it over the bar.

It was a stunning save from pretty much the keeper’s only involvement of the afternoon. But that’s what he does.

McCall made the point of highlighting Doyle’s contribution – it was just as significant in the result as Clarke’s goal.

And it meant the division’s meanest defence – who have also conceded by far the fewest chances – condemned the Spireites to their first home shut-out since April.

Chesterfield picked things up after the break but still all the chances fell to the visitors. The best two book-marked the half – Hiwula’s near-post flick into the chest of Fulton at the start and James Meredith’s nose-bleed finish in stoppage time.

“It was good of Mez to waste some time by shooting over as far as he could,” was team-mate Law’s smiling reaction.

The squandered moments did no damage. A Chesterfield side who have dropped six points from winning positions so far did not look like recovering from a losing one.

The hosts had their spells but City’s back four once more stood firm. They are gaining a reputation.

But so is this team in general, even if you won’t hear the manager saying it.

Ain’t nobody got the better of them so far – as the train station forecourt made abundantly clear.