Aldershot play the first of four League Two matches in ten days on Wednesday night, with an away trip to Chesterfield.

Gary Waddock’s side have struggled away from home this season and have let in nine goals across their last three away games.

So, where better to arrest a run of four straight defeats than at the town of crooked spire fame.

Certainly, the impressive defensive play in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brentford gave hope of a better showing against struggling Chesterfield.

But The Shots may have to do without defender Anthony Charles, whose girlfriend gave birth to a baby in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Charles was outstanding against Brentford but has had very little sleep over the last few nights and may not be considered.

"We'll have to see," said Waddock, speaking late on Tuesday afternoon. "I've spoken to Charlesy and it's great news for him and his girlfriend. I'm really pleased for them. But he hasn't had much sleep since the weekend, so he may be tired. That said, I am keen to keep the back four from Saturday together."

At least Waddock has a few options available, should Charles be rested. Ricky Newman could switch back into central defence from midfield, with a ready-made midfield biter in Lewis Chalmers available to come in. Rhys Day, the club captain, should also be fit enough to make the bench, to offer further central defensive cover.

But, after Newman and Charles' excellent performances in midfield and central defence respectively on Saturday, Waddock will be keen to avoid unnecessary changes.

"Ricky did really well on Saturday and his experience in the middle of the park helped us," said Waddock. "We were solid all game and we are looking for the same kind of thing in the two away games this week."

The Shots visit Rochdale on Saturday and the squad is staying in the north after tonight's game, at a hotel near Rochdale.

"It's great that the club have agreed to the base in the north," said Waddock. "Otherwise it would have been a case of travelling in the early hours of Thursday and then heading back up on Friday. But it will only help if we get something from the first game."

So, that means either a point or a win at Saltergate tonight - and an end to those run of defeats away from The Rec.

“We’d like to turn the away form around,” said Waddock. “Last year our away form was extremely good but we have stepped up a level and it has become a lot harder to win.

“Hopefully we can take this far more solid performance against Brentford into the next two away games and put an end to the talk of this away problem at the first hurdle.”

Port Vale at home follow soon after these two away matches, on Tuesday night, and then there is another long trip north, to Morecambe, in ten days' time. Waddock watched Morecambe lose 3-1 at Brentford last night.

In other games, Rochdale warmed up for Saturday's match with a thumping 6-1 home win over Chester City. All the other League Two teams have played this midweek already, bar The Shots and Chesterfield, and Waddock's team are, for now, down to 13th.

Chesterfield, who are 17th, lost 3-1 at Lincoln on Saturday and dissatisfied Spireite fans have called for the head of manager Lee Richardson. The Derbyshire club narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season but find themselves struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Their home record is only negligibly better than Aldershot’s away form,  with just one victory at Saltergate all season — and a paltry three goals from five games.

But, in Jack Lester, who was prolific last season after joining from Nottingham Forest, and Jamie Ward, Chesterfield boast two very dangerous attacking players.

Aldershot's attack looks set to be without Marvin Morgan due to illness, but John Grant may return to the squad, after a minor hamstring problem.

"Marvin Morgan is out for Wednesday," said Waddock. "But John Grant, possibly, will be fit."

Junior Osborne was limping after the Brentford game but Waddock said he is fully fit, unlike Anthony Straker, who remains a couple of weeks from full fitness.