Curtis Weston’s stunning late goal gave Chesterfield a valuable 1-0 victory at Eastleigh in front of the BT Sport cameras to see the Spireites return to second in the table.
In a game of few chances, one moment of individual quality clinched an important result on the road.
Danny Webb made four changes to the starting line-up. Fraser Kerr, Alex Whittle, Liam Mandeville and Jim Kellermann returned to the starting line-up with Jeff King (suspended), Calvin Miller, Saidou Khan and Akwasi Asante making way. The latter three were among the substitutes.
Kabongo Tshimanga threatened on the left-hand side of the area early on but Andrew Boyce made an important challenge to clear.
Laurence Maguire put a long-range effort on target, but the ball was comfortably gathered by Joe McDonnell.
Scott Loach came to Chesterfield’s rescue a couple of minutes later when Tom Whelan’s corner was diverted goalwards by Josh Hare at the near post and the keeper managed to keep the ball out.
Skipper Maguire again posed an attacking threat, first seeing his header blocked and then seeing his follow-up easily saved by McDonnell.
The Spireites had a let-off shortly before the half-hour mark when Tyrone Barnett, under pressure from Maguire, headed over from a good position.
Loach was called into action again to make a good save from Vincent Harper, turning the ball wide following a well-struck effort.
Curtis Weston put a 20-yard shot wide in the closing stages of the half.
Tshimanga had a shot blocked from inside the area soon after the re-start.
Mandeville put a long-target effort off-target before Webb made his first change, midway through the second half, sending on Asante in place of Joe Quigley.
Maguire tried his luck from distance, but the ball drifted harmlessly wide.
Tshimanga broke free on the right-hand side of the area and tried to put over a low cross but he mis-cued and the ball went straight to McDonnell at his near post.
Tom Broadbent got on the end of a Whelan corner and headed over.
The winner came a minute from time when Mandeville’s free-kick was headed away and the ball came out to Weston, who found the net with a superb volley from just outside the ‘D’.
The Spireites saw out the remaining time, with three minutes added on, to claim all three points.
Spireites: Loach, Kerr, Croll, Maguire, Whittle, Williams, Kellermann, Weston, Mandeville, Quigley (Asante 66), Tshimanga (Grimes 90)
Unused subs: Miller, Denton, Khan
Attendance: 3,076 (inc 381 Spireites)
