Lee Bonis’ double fired the Spireites back into the final play-off place as they beat Crewe Alexandra 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Bonis’ first strike had a hint of luck while his second was great forward play after Crewe missed a number of chances to grab a goal.
Paul Cook made one change to the side that drew 1-1 against Fleetwood Town last Saturday, with Dilan Markanday in for Tom Naylor. While Kyle McFadzean’s red card was successfully appealed, and he captained the team.
A bumper crowd at the SMH Group Stadium was in full voice from the off, and after only two minutes came the Spireites’ first chance as Liam Mandeville’s free-kick drew a full-stretch save from Ian Lawlor.
Crewe responded with opportunities of their own, with Josh March flashing two dangerous crosses into the area.
Bonis then forced Lawlor into another smart stop as the game continued at a lightning pace.
On the half-hour mark, the visitors looked to have taken the lead when Emre Tezgel fired his header past Ryan Boot, only for assistant referee’s flag to rule it out for a marginal offside.
But six minutes later, it was the Spireites who took the lead.
Mandeville’s fizzed cross ricocheted off Markanday before falling to Bonis, who managed to fashion a strike as he was falling over to bundle the ball over the line.
Markanday almost doubled the lead shortly after when he twisted and turned on the edge of the box, but Lawlor dealt with the low strike comfortably.
Lawlor, who had been the far busier of the two keepers, produced another great stop as he thwarted Markanday again with the winger through one-on-one.
After the break, both sides again started with intent.
March tested Boot with an effort from outside the box before Markanday lashed his strike into the side netting after a fast counter-attack.
Tezgel again came close with a header as it cannoned down off the bar and missed the goal line by mere inches.
Then, in the 68th minute, Bonis and Chesterfield doubled their tallies.
Mandeville produced an inch-perfect through ball, and Bonis never looked in doubt as he coolly lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper.
Crewe continued to search for a response as Adrien Thibaut flashed a great opportunity wide of the post.
But the Spireites saw the game out, and the full-time whistle was met with a roar from the home faithful.
The victory means that Chesterfield leapfrog Swindon Town into seventh place, with the two sides facing off in the final league game of the season next Saturday.
Chesterfield: Boot, Curtis, McFadzean, Swinkels, Gordon (Donacien 81), Stirk, Braybrooke (Fleck 87), Mandeville (Naylor 73), Dobra (Berry 81), Markanday, Bonis (Grigg 81)
Attendance: 9,560
