League Two leaders Chesterfield have been held to a goalless draw in the first half of their match against Portsmouth at the Proact Stadium this evening.

The visitors were the first to threaten the opposition goal when Ricky Holmes latched on to a cross from the right, flicking an effort towards goal that Tommy Lee had to save.

Portsmouth came even closer to breaking the deadlock just two minutes later as Jake Jervis fired an effort past Lee, only to see his shot come back off the post.

The hosts' first real sight of goal came just before the half-hour mark as Jimmy Ryan struck a low effort from 25 yards, but Trevor Carson made the save at the second time of asking.

Carson was called into action once again shortly afterwards, getting up well to deny an audacious lob attempt from Gary Roberts.

Danny Gardner was the next to come close for Chesterfield, stepping up to a free kick and firing a low and powerful strike narrowly past the post.

Neither side could find an opener before the break, however, as the two teams went into the halfway stage all square.