Chesterfield beat League One Wigan Athletic 3-2 to reach the Vertu Trophy Round of 16 thanks to second-half goals from James Berry and Dilan Markanday.
Armando Dobra gave the Spireites an early lead before Callum McManaman levelled midway through the first half. Berry and Markanday netted late on, before Joe Hugill’s stoppage-time strike proved a mere consolation.
Paul Cook made eight changes against his former club, with Harvey Araujo, Liam Mandeville and Armando Dobra the only players to keep their place from Saturday’s 3-0 win over Tranmere.
The Spireites finished top of their group to reach the knockout stages, including wins over Grimsby Town and Lincoln City, whilst League One Wigan progressed from Group C as runners-up.
It took just three minutes for Dobra to put Chesterfield in front, finishing from close range after Kane Drummond rounded Latics goalkeeper Tom Watson and played the ball across goal.
Wigan came close to an equaliser when Hugil dispossessed Ryan Boot but could not hit the target from just outside the penalty area.
Latics captain McManaman levelled in the 20th minute with a deflected effort that found the far corner.
The Spireites almost went back in front when Berry’s well-weighted cross was glanced onto the post by Darren Oldaker, before the referee blew for a foul on Watson.
Hugill was able to beat the Chesterfield offside trap but Boot raced out from his line to save well from the Manchester United loanee.
The sides remained level at half-time after an evenly-matched 45 minutes.
Chesterfield started the second half well, Branden Horton volleying over the crossbar from 25 yards, before Berry’s attempted lob was claimed by Watson.
The referee waved away appeals for a Chesterfield penalty when Drummond went down in the box under pressure from a Latics defender.
Substitute Thelo Aasgaard could have made it 2-1 to the away side but fired his shot high into the North Stand.
Colclough was fouled to win Chesterfield a penalty in the 78th minute, and Berry smashed the spot-kick past Watson to mark his 23rd birthday in style.
Markanday gave the Spireites a two-goal cushion with a fine finish in the 87th minute, before Hugill pulled a late goal back in injury time for the visitors.
Chesterfield were able to hold on to their slender lead to progress through to the Round of 16, which will be drawn on Saturday.
Chesterfield: Boot, Horton (Cook 79), Grimes ©, Mandeville (Colclough 65), Araujo, Oldaker, Hobson, Dobra (Markanday 46), Berry, Drummond (Grigg 79), Jessop (Gordon 65).
Unused substitutes: Thompson, Sheckleford.
Attendance: 1,583 (237)
