Armando Dobra’s early goal was enough to give the Spireites a 1-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon to make it four wins in a row.
Paul Cook made two changes from the side that ran out 2-0 victors last time out in Cumbria against Carlisle as Tyrone Williams and Lewis Gordon made way for Tom Naylor and Jamie Grimes.
The win keeps the Spireites in the play-off positions as 2025 approaches.
There was a big chance inside the first minute as Dilan Markanday’s free-kick was delivered into the box for Grimes to put back across the six-yard box and Dobra’s eventual header was blocked.
After a lively start, the Spireites were in front in the third minute as Ollie Banks found Markanday out wide, who cut back to Liam Mandeville and his cross was cushioned into the back of the net, on the volley, from an unmarked Dobra at the back post.
On the half-hour mark, Markanday latched onto another inch-perfect ball through from Banks down the right wing but could not manage to pick out any of his team-mates in the middle.
With ten minutes of regular time to go until half-time, Cook was forced into an early substitution as James Berry replaced the injured Ryan Colclough.
The Spireites went into the interval, deservedly, one goal to the good thanks to Dobra’s early strike and dominating much of the ball in the first half and creating the better chances.
On the hour-mark, Berry had Chesterfield’s best chance since the restart as a loose ball fell to the substitute just inside the 18-yard area which he hit first time, but the effort was comfortably saved by Owen Goodman in the Wimbledon goal.
It was a miracle for the Spireites that Wimbledon did not equalise in the 67th minute, striking Max Thompson’s right post twice in a matter of seconds. The first was via Alistair Smith from the edge of the box and Josh Kelly on the rebound from point-blank range.
Chesterfield had the opportunity to go two goals up with two quick chances of their own after Mandeville’s left-footed effort was saved by an outstretched Goodman and Berry’s follow-up was also blocked by the Wimbledon shot-stopper.
An astounding reaction-save from Thompson in the first minute of added time ensured that there was no way back for the visitors as the Spireites saw out the rest of the game and secured three more well-deserved points.
The Spireites’ attention will turn to their penultimate game of 2024 as Cook’s side will travel to Fleetwood Town’s Highbury Stadium on Boxing Day. The Fishermen are winless since November 9 and currently sit 18th in League Two.
Spireites: Thompson, Sheckleford, Naylor, Grimes ©, Araujo (Horton 78’), Banks (Oldaker 78’), Mandeville, Markanday, Dobra (Hobson 78’), Colclough (Berry 35’), Grigg (Drummond 65’).
Unused Subs: Boot, Cook.
Attendance: 8,555 (598)
