The game erupted on 27 minutes after a number of players and Chesterfield manager Laws got involved in a fracas near the home dug-out. Ian Foster - sent off in the first half

It was sparked by a challenge by Foster on Booty while the Chesterfield defender was on the ground.

Once the incident had died down after about three minutes, referee Leake sent off Foster for violent conduct and booked Booty despite initially booking Ebdon by mistake.

Harriers boss Molby also strode in to try and protect his players and was given a talking to by the official.

However, for Ebdon, the Chesterfield midfielder was eventually booked on 31 minutes for a foul on Bennett in the air.

Then tempers frayed again when Blake went through on D'Auria with a late challenge on the right-hand touchline and was cautioned.

The football was becoming somewhat irrelevant but Harriers almost took the lead on 42 minutes when Bennett swung in a cross from the right and Blake's firm header was acrobatically tipped away by Abbey in the home goal.

Six minutes' stoppage time was added on but Harriers managed to keep the scoreline goalless at the interval.