Michael Jacobs scored his first goal of the season to secure a narrow 1-0 victory against Barrow at The SO Legal Stadium.
In a game of few shots on goal, it was the substitute who saw his 78th minute deflected effort nestle in the back of the net.
Ryan Colclough was the only change to the starting XI as he replaced the injured Janoi Donacien while Jacobs returned to the bench.
The first chances of the game fell to the home side; Ben Jackson’s through ball found Aaron Pressley who was thwarted by Ryan Boot and Ash Palmer in a matter of seconds.
Both teams struggled to build momentum as the half went on with the goalkeepers failing to be tested.
Barrow were awarded a few free-kicks that they failed to convert into chances.
In the 37th minute, Ben Whitfield sent a 30-yard free-kick handsomely over Boot’s crossbar.
The referee decided to not add any additional time at the end of the first half as the sides went into the break level.
Early in the second period, Barrow looked to find the opener, but Tyler Smith’s tame effort was gathered by Boot.
Chances continued to stay at a premium as the defences refused to let anything past them.
Jenson Metcalfe almost caught Wyll Stanway out with an audacious effort; his 25-yard lob drifted inches wide of a post.
Paul Cook made four changes on the 70th minute with Jacobs, Michael Olakigbe, Dylan Duffy and Will Grigg replacing Tom Naylor, Armando Dobra, Colclough and Bim Pepple.
It was one of the substitutes who delivered the decisive strike. Jacobs received the ball on the edge of the area before jinking his way past a Barrow defender and sending an effort beyond Stanway, via a deflection.
The Spireites’ defence stayed strong to keep any home attack away from danger and recorded a third successive away win.
Chesterfield: Boot, Mandeville, Palmer, Grimes, Gordon, Naylor (Olakigbe 70), Metcalfe, Banks (Fleck 90), Dobra (Jacobs 70), Colclough (Duffy 70), Pepple (Grigg 70).
Unused Substitutes: Thompson, Madden.
