Akwasi Asante opened the scoring nine minutes in with a superb volley but a controversial penalty decision mid-way through the first half changed the game completely. Just a few minutes from time Asante was through on goal and converted his chance to cause wild celebrations and claim all three points.
James Rowe made five changes to the side that beat Boston on penalties in midweek. Adam Pryzbek and Alex Whittle were handed debuts and Tom Whelan, Jak McCourt and Akwasi Asante returned to the starting eleven.
The Spireites took the lead inside the opening ten minutes. Akwasi Asante pounced on a Wrexham mistake and brought the ball down to volley past ‘keeper Rob Lainton.
After the opener the home side carved out some chances but a controversial penalty decision knocked the wind of the Spireites’ sails.
Referee Martin Woods judged Jordan Davies’ shot to have been handled in the box by Jak McCourt and awarded Wrexham a penalty. Luke Young stepped up for the Welsh side and sent Pryzbeck the wrong way to level.
Frustrations grew for Chesterfield when they were expecting to be awarded a penalty themselves in the 36th minute. The ball appeared to strike the arm of a Dragons defender inside the area but nothing was given.
Neither team managed to create any clear cut chances in the remainder of the half and the two teams went into the break on level terms.
Chesterfield nearly got their noses back in front four minutes into the second half. Curtis Weston played the ball in and Marcus Dinanga’s header looked like sneaking into the top corner but Lainton was there tip over for a corner.
Wrexham had a dangerous spell deep into the second half with a flurry of corners but the Spirietes defence stood firm and limited chances for Dean Keates’ side.
Just in the knick of time substitute Liam Mandeville played a sublime through-ball to Asante who went one-on-one with Lainton, calmly slotting past the keeper which sparked wild celebrations which gaffer James Rowe sprinted down the touchline to join in with.
There could have been drama at the other end when Davies saw his strike whistle past the post but Dean Keates’ side just didn’t do enough, therefore went home empty handed.
A huge three points for Chesterfield means they now sit 13th in the table, three points off the play-off places. They travel to Boreham Wood on Tuesday night looking to secure back-to-back wins in the National League.
Chesterfield (3-5-2): Przybek; Evans, Hollis, Maguire; Carline, McCourt, Weston, Whelan (Mandeville 82’), Whittle (Yarney 75’); Dinanga (Rowley 63’), Asante.
Unused substitutes: Gunning, M.Smith.
Wrexham (3-5-2): Lainton; Horsfield, Kelleher, Vassell, Hall-Johnson (Rutherford 85’), Harris, Young, Jarvis (Redmond 57’), Davies, Ponticelli (Durrell 85’), Yussuf.
Unused substitutes: Dibble, Thomas.
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