Tom Naylor struck a late winner in a 2-1 victory at Notts County with Bim Pepple also on target.
It looked like a late leveller for County may well have saved them from defeat but Naylor had other ideas and ensured that a superb second-half show brought the reward it warranted.
The Spireites had battled hard in the first half and were happy to go in level at the interval; from then on there was only going to be one winner.
The Spireites arrived at Meadow Lane with two straight wins behind them but County had also picked up three points in midweek after an impressive performance at Blundell Park that ended Grimsby’s eight match unbeaten run.
Chesterfield’s 4-0 win at Salford saw the them pick up three away points for the first time since the mid-December win at Carlisle. The goal tally also ensured that the Spireites became the second-top scorers in League Two with 56 goals, County trail by just one goal.
Paul Cook chose to make just one change from the midweek fixture as Lewis Gordon took over from Jack Sparkes, who picked up a knock at Salford. Bailey Hobson claimed Gordon’s place on the bench.
The Spireites ran out to sunshine and a loud reception from the 1,900 travelling supporters. Chesterfield lost the toss as Notts chose to defend the end that housed their main support.
In the third minute Alassana Jatta burst through, received the ball, looked offside and slotted home. He was offside but, as is the way nowadays, the flag was raised late to the annoyance of the home supporters.
Sam Slocombe, who was making his first appearance off the season for County, saved the day for County three minutes later after Pepple picked up a wayward back-pass, looked to slot home but was thwarted by the alert Slocombe, who got down well.
Another three minutes, another chance, David McGoldrick burst into box and hit from 12 yards; Ryan Boot claimed well.
Ryheem Sheckleford went down with no player nearby and it was decided not to take a risk. Janoi Donacien promptly took his place after 15 minutes.
The Spireites won a free-kick, this time wide-right; Liam Mandeville floated a great ball to to the back post. Ollie Banks didn’t need to move as he struck powerfully on the volley. Slocombe read the danger and palmed way to safety.
The game had been played at a frenetic pace with openings coming thick and fast. Pepple had a great chance at one end and moments later McGoldrick just failed to connect in the area at the other end.
A great cross-field pass from Lewis Macari found Notts captain Matt Palmer but he blazed wildly over. Moments later, Jatta looked certain to score as he hit from 12 yards; Boot read the situation and came out well to clear.
In time added on County missed a huge chance after Conor Grant provided a super cross from the right but Tsaroulla headed recklessly wide of Boot’s right upright.
It had been a fantastic first-half of non-stop action with both teams working tirelessly; County had edged it in terms of possession and openings but the Spireites’ defensive determination had been outstanding.
No changes at the re-start as Notts kicked off and looked to drive forward from the off. George Abbott went close after receiving and controlling well from Kellan Gordon on the right.
The Spireites were enjoying lots of possession but were struggling to find that incisive pass forward that would create a clear opening.
A stunning long, cross-field pass from Mandeville found Dobra who touched on for Gordon. County were forced to concede a corner
Another Mandeville-Dobra link set up Banks for a blast on the edge of the area; sadly he couldn’t keep the ball down and hit over.
Dobra was the next to hit over the bar, from distance, this time from a Donacien long throw on the right.
Moments later, the Spireites broke the deadlock after a neat four man move. Banks fed Dobra who found Gordon; his cross from the left found Pepple (70), who headed powerfully home from close range.
The game turned on its head in less than a minute. Dobra was put clear through; he chose not to go for goal himself but instead laid off to Naylor, who was better placed to his left. A clear opening beckoned but Naylor could only hit weakly and Slocombe held well.
Moments later, County equalised when substitute Will Jarvis (81) hit low, on the ground, into the bottom left of the goal through a crowd of players.
With just two minutes remaining, Chesterfield scored the winner, Naylor touching home from Dylan Duffy’s ball in from the left that had picked up a couple of ricochets on the way.
Five minutes were added but County couldn’t lay a glove on Chesterfield in those final minutes as the Spireites deservedly took three points back to Derbyshire.
Chesterfield: Boot, Sheckleford (Donacien 15), Palmer, Grimes ©️, Gordon (Duffy 72), Naylor, Metcalfe, Mandeville (Hobson 82), Banks (Fleck 82), Dobra (Colclough 82), Pepple
Unused substitutes: Thompson, Olakigbe
Attendance: 13,229 (1,916 Chesterfield supporters)
