The Spireites claimed a second victory in three days with a gritty 2-1 win against Southend United at Roots Hall.
Laurence Maguire headed Chesterfield in front early in the first half. Ryan Colclough doubled the lead just after the hour-mark before Harry Cardwell quickly reduced the arrears.
Paul Cook named an unnamed starting XI following the victory at Gateshead – Jeff King and new signing Andrew Dallas replaced Branden Horton and Danny Rowe on the bench.
Southend created the first chance of the game as Jack Bridge broke past the Chesterfield back-line but couldn’t beat Ross Fitzsimons with his low drive.
Chesterfield soon took the lead when Liam Mandeville’s corner found the head of Maguire; the defender powerfully headed the ball into the back of the net, via a slight deflection, for his first goal of the season.
Mandeville’s set-pieces were causing the Shrimpers’ defence problems as Maguire headed wide from the midfielder’s free-kick.
The Spireites set their aims on grabbing a second before the break and came inches away from doing so – Paul McCallum saw his close-range header crash off the underside of the crossbar.
Harry Cardwell came close to levelling things up by the half-hour mark when he rounded Fitzsimons at the 25-yard mark before rolling the ball into the side-netting.
The hosts continued to search for the equaliser and came close when Jack Bridge latched onto a cut-back, but his effort was well-saved by Fitzsimons.
Early in the second half, Jesurun Uchegbulam made a strong run down the right side and lifted the ball back to the back post. The striker seemed likely to extend the lead but saw the ball fly over his head.
The second half was pretty even in the opening stages until the Spireites extended their lead in the 65th minute. Colclough picked the ball up on the edge of the area before sending a low drive past Steve Arnold for his third goal in successive games.
Chesterfield’s celebrations lasted for just two minutes as Southend found a way back into the game. Chris Wreh slipped in Cardwell, who sprung the offside trap, and slid the ball beyond Fitzsimons from close-range.
The goal spurred the hosts on as they searched for an equaliser, but the Spireites defence held firm.
Five minutes were added on in second half added time; Southend goalkeeper Arnold made his way forward for a corner and headed wide just before referee Lloyd Wood blew the final whistle.
Chesterfield: Fitzsimons, Sheckleford, Williams, Grimes ©, Maguire, Akinola, Oldaker, Uchegbulam (Dallas 59), Mandeville, Colclough (Banks 79), McCallum (Quigley 69).
Unused Substitutes: King, Palmer.
