Will Dickson fired the Spireites back into the play-off places with a vital 1-0 win against Cheltenham Town on Good Friday.
It was a game that Chesterfield dominated for large parts, and Dickson’s first-half strike gave the Spireites a deserved lead at the break.
More of the same followed in the second half, Chesterfield saw a number of efforts bouncing off the woodwork, but ultimately secured the crucial three points
Paul Cook made one change to that side that beat Accrington Stanley 1-0 just under a fortnight ago, with Liam Mandeville coming in for Sam Curtis, who only recently returned from international duty with Ireland U21s.
The Spireites enjoyed a lot of early possession, though neither side created any chances of note within the first ten minutes.
George Miller looked to profit off Kyle McFadzean’s slip, but the veteran defender recovered well to dispossess the forward as he headed goalward.
Chesterfield responded with an attack on their own as James Berry managed to glide across the park before finding Sammy Braybrooke in the area; however, the midfielder was unable to find any power with his effort.
Moments later, in the 25th minute, Dickson fired Chesterfield into the lead.
Liam Mandeville delivered a pinpoint low ball into the area, and Dickson rifled his volley past Joe Day from close range.
It was almost two goals in two minutes as Dilan Markanday’s speculative long pass found Tom Naylor, but his looped header bounced agonisingly wide of the post.
A misjudged back pass from Sil Swinkels fell to Miller, whose strike from range flew over the bar.
Chesterfield raced up the other end and again nearly profited from a long ball over the top, but this time Ryan Stirk’s header required a smart stop from Day.
After the break, Chesterfield continued to push for a second.
Mandeville again fired in a cross from the right-hand side and found Naylor, who couldn’t direct his header on target.
It was a golden opportunity for the Spireites in the 70th minute when Armando Dobra let fire a low strike which cannoned off the post, and from the rebound Markanday again struck the woodwork.
Dobra again came within inches of making it two as he cut inside and watched his curled effort bounce off the top of the crossbar.
Dylan Duffy was the next to see his attempt hit the upright as the game ticked over into the final five minutes.
Duffy again launched an attack with a lung-bursting run through the middle, but his effort was well blocked by the Robins’ rearguard.
It was a tense finish at the SMH Group Stadium after all of the missed chances, but the Spireites held out for what could be a crucial three points.
Chesterfield: Boot, Mandeville (Curtis 88), McFadzean, Swinkels, Owolabi-Belewu (Donacien 66), Naylor (Duffy 67), Stirk, Braybrooke, Markanday, Berry (Dobra 67), Dickson (Bonis 67)
Attendance: 8,072
