Tom Denton bagged two assists and a goal in a man of the match performance as the Spireites comfortably dispatched Sutton United 3-0 in front of the BT Sport cameras.
John Sheridan's side went into the break with the lead for the first time since the 1-1 draw away at Harrogate Town in November following Jonathan Smith's first goal.
Chesterfield extended their lead in the second half through Scott Boden and then Denton to grab their second successive win.
Sutton started the brighter team firing a couple of warning shots at the hosts. Roarie Deacon was allowed space in the box, but his effort was deflected over the bar by Will Evans.
Less than a minute later, James Dobson let fly from outside the area, but the effort skimmed the top of the crossbar.
The Blues finally got their first attempt after just over 20 minutes. Boden made a good run before seeing his shot from a tight angle saved smartly from Ross Worner.
Ian Baird's team continued to push for the opening goal, and Kearney's ferocious effort went inches wide and hid the stanchion behind Shwan Jalal's goal.
With the half hour mark edging closer, the Spireites took the lead; Joe Rowley's cross was met with a downwards header from Denton, which Smith steamrolled and headed in from close range.
Deacon almost levelled scores up on the 35th minute when his fierce attempt whistled past Jalal's post.
However, just three minutes into second half the Us saw their season start to slip away.
Boden latched onto a Denton flick on before finding the back of the net with a cute finish from an acute angle.
On 55 minutes, the game was put beyond all doubt as Laurence Maguire's dink into the box was expertly headed home by Denton for the striker's 11th goal of the season.
For the first time Chesterfield were playing with a freedom that fans have not seen for a long time.
Joe Rowley almost made it four after a lovely bit of play allowed the creative midfielder to curl a shot towards goal, with the ball going wide of the mark.
With just over 20 minutes to go, Ellis Chapman's corner caused havoc, but the Sutton defence cleared following some pinball in the area.
Rowley had a couple of late chances that failed to hit the target, but the Spireites kept their three goal lead to surely make survival certain.
The win put Chesterfield up to 12th at the time, but after the 3pm results the Blues shuffled back down to 15th in the table.
It also puts Sheridan's side 11 points clear of Havant & Waterlooville in 21st with just six games to go.
Post-Match Verdict | Finally some breathing space
After 39 games, it seems Chesterfield have finally found their groove and today's second half performance proved that.
Rowley was in his element, Boden now has 19 goals this season with six in his last five and Denton was fantastic and thoroughly deserved the man-of-the-match award.
John Sheridan was also happy with the second half: "I'm pleased how we went about the first 25 minutes of the second half, I thought we were really strong.
"We got the goals at a really important time and when you’re 3-0 up it makes the game more comfortable," said the Chesterfield boss.
The Spireites now play Dagenham & Redbridge next Saturday before visiting Dover Athletic for their first fixture of April.
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