The Spireites suffered their first home league defeat of the season as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Swindon Town.
Goals from Finley Munroe and John Fleck in the opening ten minutes made for an electric start to the game, but Joe Snowdon’s second-half volley secured all three points for Ian Holloway’s side.
Despite a late red card for Munroe, Chesterfield couldn’t find a response and dropped down to ninth while Swindon moved up to second.
Paul Cook, who was in charge for his 350th game with the Spireites, made two changes to the side that contested the entertaining 3-3 draw with Crewe Alexandra last weekend, with Liam Mandeville and Dylan Duffy both in from the off today.
Both sides raced out of the blocks, and with just eight minutes played, Swindon opened the scoring.
A deep cross found Munroe at the far post, and he made no mistake with his close-range header.
But the Spireites weren’t behind for long as just two minutes later Fleck fired a sweetly-struck volley past the helpless Connor Ripley.
On the 15-minute mark, there were vocal appeals for a Chesterfield penalty after Duffy’s cross appeared to strike a Swindon arm; however, the referee waved play on.
Fleck almost grabbed another goal-of-the-season contender, shortly after, when his looping volley from range nearly caught Ripley out.
Chesterfield continued to push Swindon back with wave after wave of attacks – buoyed by the home fans who were in great voice.
Again, the Spireites came close. This time, Lee Bonis stretched to get on the end of Dilan Markanday’s cross, but his attempt cannoned off the post.
Moments later, Tom Naylor was afforded space in the area; however, the midfielder blazed his effort over the bar.
As the half drew to a close, the game fell into a lull, with both sides catching their breath after a frantic start.
After the break, Swindon started on the front foot and almost regained their lead, but for a crucial block to deny Munroe his second.
Chesterfield responded with a chance of their own when Duffy rose highest, only to see his header float over the bar.
In the 61st minute, Swindon retook the lead. Chesterfield failed to clear the corner, and Snowdon volleyed home from just inside the area.
Paul Cook then turned to his bench and made a quadruple change as Chesterfield searched for an equaliser.
Aaron Drinan came close to a third for the visitors when he broke through, but his strike could only find the side netting.
With seven minutes left to play, there was a goalmouth scramble where a goal looked certain; however, Will Dickson was unable to get his shot away.
Chesterfield continued to throw bodies forward, with James Berry and Ronan Darcy having sights of goal.
Swindon almost took the game out of sight when Jake Tabor fired a goal-bound strike only to see it crash back off the crossbar.
In stoppage time, Swindon were reduced to 10 when goalscorer Munroe picked up his second yellow card.
Again, Swindon had a golden opportunity first through Drinan, who was thwarted by Zach Hemming, and then Tabor, who couldn’t convert the follow-up.
Swindon ultimately held out to hand the Spireites a defeat.
Chesterfield: Hemming, Tanton (Daley-Campbell 68), Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon (Lewis 68), Fleck, Naylor (Darcy 68), Mandeville, Duffy (Berry 68), Markanday (Dickson 79), Bonis
Attendance: 8,258
