The Spireites suffered heartbreak in the National League Promotion Final as they lost 4-3 on penalties to Notts County after a 2-2 draw after extra-time.
Andrew Dallas’ early penalty was cancelled out with just three minutes to go by John Bostock’s free-kick.
Armando Dobra put Paul Cook’s side in-front again in extra-time, but another equaliser by Reuben Rodrigues took the game to penalties.
Darren Oldaker and Jeff King had their penalties saved before Cedwyn Scott gave County the win.
An early opportunity was awarded to Chesterfield when they were given an indirect free-kick In the penalty area. The ball was laid off to King, who saw his shot well-saved by Sam Slocombe.
The Notts County goalkeeper was soon involved in another big moment as he brought down Andrew Dallas in the box – referee Matt Corlett immediately pointed to the sport. Dallas brushed himself off and placed the penalty straight down the middle.
The Blues continued to pile the pressure on the opposition back line as Armando Dobra caught Matty Palmer in possession before seeing his effort blocked by John Bostock.
Chances were few and far between for the rest of the first half. Chesterfield looked to get in behind a high line whilst County looked to find a goal from a cross.
Early on in the second half, Notts created their best chance up until that point. Aaron Nemane’s low ball found Sam Austin on the edge of the area and the midfielder lifted the ball over Ross Fitzsimons’ crossbar.
Connell Rawlinson came very close to levelling the scores as he latched onto a dangerous free-kick but headed inches wide of the goal.
Ryan Colclough caught the Nottinghamshire side on the break and though he won a corner when his low shot was deflected wide. However, the referee pointed for a goal kick.
Again chances were at a premium but Liam Mandeville had a guilt-edged chance to put the game to bed. Slocombe’s poor pass out found the midfielder but, under pressure, he put the ball over the bar from just outside the area.
Unfortunately, with three minutes to go until added time, Notts County got their equaliser. Bostock’s whipped free-kick just had enough power to slip past the fingers of Fitzsimons and into the bottom left corner.
Just minutes into extra-time, the Spireites re-took the lead. Dobra made his way into the penalty area, found a pocket of space and unleashed a beautiful curling effort that went beyond the reaches of Slocombe and into the back of the net.
Reuben Rodrigues found a second equaliser in the second half of extra-time when his scuffed volley looped over Fitzsimons and squirmed under the crossbar.
With no other goals scored in extra-time, the game went to penalties. The first penalty each was dispatched, before Oldaker saw his effort saved by substitute Archie Mair.
Another pair of spot-kicks found the back of the net, but Jeff King saw his shot also saved by Mair.
Bostock had the chance to win it, but his chip came off the bar. Joe Quigley kept the Spireites in it before Cedwyn Scott scored to win it for Notts County.
Chesterfield: Fitzsimons, King, Palmer, Grimes, Clements, Jones, Oldaker, Mandeville (Akinola 89), Dobra (Maguire 106), Colclough (Banks 70), Dallas (Quigley 78).
Unused Substitutes: McCallum.
Subs: Akinola, Maguire, McCallum, Quigley, Banks
Attendance: 38,138
