James Berry and Lee Bonis had put the Spireites into a two-goal lead but Emery Tezgel made no mistake from the penalty spot to halve the deficit at the interval.
Lee Bell’s Alex started just a point and two places behind Chesterfield having drawn at Oldham last Saturday. They had won their last two home league games, scoring three in both contests but, in between, fell to defeat to Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup
Last season it was honours even as the Spireites won 5-0 in Cheshire at the start of the campaign but lost the return game 3-1.
Chesterfield made no changes to the starting line-up at Grimsby; Adam Lewis took over from Bailey Hobson on the bench.
Another great following greeted the Spireites onto the pitch, Chesterfield fans having taken the seating of one full length of the pitch.
After early home pressure, Markanday picked up the loose ball and burst into the Crewe half before hitting a superb diagonal ball to Tom Naylor who was immediately clattered to the ground just outside the area. Berry took the free-kick, it was on target but held well
In the next Spireites attack, in the 9th minute, Berry received in an almost identical position but this time his effort was further away from the keeper and sneaked just inside Tom Booth’s left hand upright to give Chesterfield a 1-0 lead.
For Crewe, James Connolly hit wide of Zach Hemming’s left post, they followed up with further pressure that saw Calum Agius clear through on goal, his hit was on target but Hemming spread himself well to end the threat.
The Spireites went 2-0 ahead in the 20th minute after a quality three-man move. Markanday fed Ronan Darcy on the right who provided an inch-perfect pass to Bonis, just outside the six-yard area, for him to hit home first time.
Crewe pushed forward and brought an alert save from Hemming but the danger wasn’t cleared, In the next foray into the area Dunkley brought down Owen Lunt. Up stepped Emre Tezgel to hit the 35th minute penalty home to the left of Hemming for his ninth goal of the season.
Five minutes were added but neither side could fashion another opening.
Within two minutes of the re-start, the Alex were level. A 40-yard ball from Tezgel on the right found Calum Agius at the far post, he rose well and headed home just inside Hemming’s right post.
It was all Crewe and Reece Hutchinson almost put the home side into the lead, his hit from 30 yards produced a top tip to safety by Hemming.
In the next attack Tommi O’Reilly hit over from a neat lay-back by Max Sanders.
Paul Cook made a double change in the 64th minute when Janoi Donacien and Dylan Duffy replaced Dunkley and Berry. They made an immediate impact. Chesterfield gained a free-kick; Duffy took it and from the loose ball in the box Markanday hit home a screamer.
There was no time to enjoy the lead as Crewe soon levelled. A corner from the left enabled Connolly to head home at the near post from close range.
Substitute Liam Mandeville ran strongly into the area but his well hit effort was blocked. Naylor hit narrowly wide with two minutes remaining.
Six added minutes were awarded. Will Dickson fought well to set up Markanday on a mazy run that ended with a throw-in that ensured crucial possession but Crewe won back the ball and burst well with a final ball into the area that saw Tezgel hit agonisingly over. That was the last chance in a game that had everything: six goals, great entertainment and a deserved point for both sides.
Chesterfield: Hemming, McFadzean, Tanton, Dunkley (Donacien 64),Gordon, Naylor, Fleck, Markanday, Darcy (Mandeville 70), Berry (Duffy 64), Bonis (Dickson 87)
Substitutes not used: Boot, Lewis,, Daley-Campbell
Referee: D Rock
Attendance: 5,770
