Stephen Hunt's first-half header settled this local derby encounter at Meadow Lane this afternoon as Notts County claimed a 1-0 win over high-flying Chesterfield at Meadow Lane.
A high-tempo and impressive first-period saw Notts take the lead midway through the first-half as centre-back Stephen Hunt stooped to head Neil MacKenzie's free-kick into the net.
Despite both sides having chances, no further goals followed in and end-to-end first period. Jack Lester testing Kevin Pilkington's reactions twice in the Notts goal while Jamie Winter hit a post from range.
The second was equally frantic, but also lacking chances although Andy Parkinson could have doubled the lead late on Hunt's goal was enough despite some frantic last-gasp defending.
Notts began the afternoon, a sunny one at that, with one change to the starting line-up compared to the team which faced Rotherham last weekend with Hector Sam in for Lawrie Dudfield in attack while Chesterfield kept faith with the side which was beaten by Barnet last weekend.
The game started at a cracking pace with both frontlines seeing the ball early and running at the opposition defences, and after a lot of criticism from the previous home game with the lack of football played by the Magpies in the win over Dagenham Steve Thompson's side began proceedings by playing some excellent football.
The first opportunity of any note fell of fourteen minutes to the visitors as Jack Lester turned smartly on the edge of the box and got a shot in, but he was just off target. At the other end the recalled Hector Sam had the Magpies' first chance on fourteen minutes but he volleyed over from eighteen yards.
Despite the exciting start real chances were at a premium, and it almost took a piece of magic by Chesterfield's Peter Leven to open the scoring with an ambitious effort, and the Spireites were made to regret that miss literally seconds later as Notts took the lead through Stephen Hunt.
Neil MacKenzie's free-kick from just inside the box picked out Hunt's head some fourteen yards out, and his stooping diving header was beyond the reach of Roche and nestled nicely in the back of the net to give the Magpies a thoroughly deserved lead.
The creator of Hunt's goal came close to bagging a stunning strike against the side he almost joined in the summer with a powerful long-range drive, but he was just off target as Notts sought after a second goal to extend their lead.
The dangerous Lester almost brought the visitors level after the half-hour mark, but after turning Hunt smartly inside the box he managed a weak shot at goal which Pilkington smothered.
Notts survived a major scare ten minutes before the interval as Jamie Winger came within a matter of inches of bringing the visitors level with a 25-yard drive which took a deflection and beat Pilkington all ends up, but luckily the ball came back off the post and bounced away to safety. Eventually the ball fell to Lowry, but he blazed wide as the home fans breathed a sign of relief. Kevin Pilkington pulled off a fine save moments later to deny Jack Lester, tipping his close-range effort following a cross from the left over the bar for a corner.
The half provided no further serious chances, but the Magpies left the field to good applause from the home fans - who appreciated the impressive way Notts went about their business as they passed the ball excellently at times.
Half-Time: Notts County 1-0 Chesterfield
MacKenzie, impressive in the first-half, fired Notts' first chance of the second period wide as both sides began at a high-tempo once again.
Notts made a change early in the second period with one-time Chesterfield frontman Lawrie Dudfield brought on to replace Hector Sam up the front. Sam covered a lot ground and put in his best Notts performance, but Steve Thompson clearly felt Dudfield's abilities were better suited for the second period and the change was made.
There were bags of commitment and endeavour from both sides, that was clear, but the second half was lacking just one thing - chances. There was little in terms of chances by the hour mark, but both sides were enjoying good spells of possession and getting the ball forward at every opportunity.
Parkinson replaced Weir-Daley soon after the hour, and instantly Parkinson was involved as he laid the ball to Butcher to surge forwards from midfield at shoot at goal - but his effort lacked power and his shot was straight at Roche.
Chesterfield always looked dangerous on the counter attack and from a Notts corner, with Hunt down injured, the visitors burst forward in numbers but couldn't make the most of the opportunity with Niven taking his chance way to early and scuffing his effort wide.
Butcher came close to adding a second with fifteen to go after Parkinson found room down the right to deliver a neat cross, but with the ball bouncing Butcher was always going to struggle to keep the ball down and he volleyed over the bar.
Silk replaced MacKenzie for the final ten-or-so minutes for the Magpies, and the former Portsmouth man was quickly involved in the action with a neat cross from the right which eventually led to Parkinson getting a shot in which was blocked - with Notts appealing for a penalty, but nothing was given.
Parkinson should have sealed matters late on when he got on the end of Silk's right-wing cross, but the ball wouldn't fall for the former Grimsby man and in the end his rushed effort was easily saved by Roche.
So, eight games into the season and only one defeat for the Magpies - and importantly a second win in the bag which now sees Notts with seven points out of nine and with an impressive performance too the confidence will be high going into Tuesday's home clash with Hereford.
Notts County: Pilkington, Canoville, Tann, Hunt, Mayo, Somner, MacKenzie (Silk 79), Butcher, Weir-Daley (Parkinson 68), Lee, Sam (Dudfield 53).
Subs Not Used: Sandercombe, McCann.
Booked: Butcher, Dudfield.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Hunt (21).
Chesterfield: Roche, Kovacs, Lowry (Allison 83), Picken, Niven, Fletcher (Rooney 57), Robertson, Lester, Downes (C), Winter (Jackson 71), Leven.
Subs Not Used: Gray, O'Hare.
Booked: Winter, Picken.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: None.
Match Referee: Mr J Moss
Attendance: 5,757 (1,576 Chesterfield Fans)
nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Stephen Hunt
