Chesterfield battled to secure back-to-back wins out of isolation against Altrincham at the Technique Stadium.
Akwasi Asante broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half however Grant Smith was forced to pull off an important penalty save to keep the Spireites a goal infront.
James Rowe made three changes to the side that beat Notts County on Saturday. Joel Taylor, Marcus Dinanga and Gavin Gunning made way for Alex Whittle, Adi Yussuf and Liam Mandeville.
The visitors launched the first attack of the game however Chesterfield recorded the first two shots. First Laurence Maguire’s long-range effort flew past the post before Jak McCourt dragged his shot wide.
At the other end Yusifu Ceesay turned Will Evans and forced Smith to parry his shot away.
In the 12th minute Yussuf should have opened the scoring on his full-debut when Asante played the ball through, but the new man couldn’t find the target.
Ceesay proved the dangerman again in front of the Chesterfield goal when Smith was forced into action once more.
A few minutes later Haydn Hollis miscontrolled the ball which allowed Matty Kosylo through on goal, however a last ditch tackle from Will Evans meant James Rowe’s men could breathe a sigh of relief.
George Carline went close for the Spireites at the other when his strike from inside the area crept wide of the far post.
Phil Parkinson would have been the happier of the two managers at the break however there were good chances at both ends.
James Rowe got the response he was looking for early in the second half when the tactical switch of wing-backs Alex Whittle and George Carline paid off. Whittle played the ball to Maguire, who after a brilliant run, crossed the ball towards the far post for Asante to turn in and put his side ahead.
In the 74th minute Altrincham were handed the chance to get back on level terms from the penalty spot when Smith was judged to have brought down Ceesay inside the penalty area. Substitute Joe Piggot stepped up but his powerful effort was kept out by the Spireites ‘keeper who palmed it away for a corner.
In the final dangers of the game Toby Mullarkey headed Kosylo’s free-kick goalwards but Smith saved well to seal a huge win for the Spireites.
Chesterfield (3-5-2): G.Smith; Evans, Hollis, Maguire; Carline, Weston, Mandeville (Clarke 78'), Whittle (Taylor 62'); Asante, Yussuf (Dinanga 56')
Unused Substitutes: Gunning, M.Smith
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