Chesterfield looked physically imposing and were certainly up for it infront of a noisy and hostile crowd at Saltergate. Centre backs Ian Breckin and Rob Page had obviously been told to target the space in behind Stephen Hunt and Brendan Moloney and they began to execute this plan to perfection, relentlessy knocking long balls over the top of the Notts defence. It was a plan that seemed to be working and winger Donal McDermott, on loan from Manchester City, gave the Magpies their first real scare when he skipped away from Hunt, cut inside and unleashed a shot that was well blocked by John Thompson.
The Spireites were certainly dominating possession early on, getting the ball forward as quickly as possible and then sustaining pressure on the Notts area. Livewire forward Jack Lester, the target of much abuse from the away support, was struggling to get into the game and was being tightly marked by his former teammate John Thompson and dangerous winger McDermott was also being closely watched, but this seemed to allow space to the likes of Jamie Lowry and Drew Talbot in and around the Notts box. Mark Allott and Talbot both had efforts from outside the area that stung the hands of Russell Hoult, whilst a succession of corners were finally ended by Stephen Hunt's left boot.
Upfront Notts were showing very little, with a deep cross from Craig Westcarr that Lee Hughes nearly managed to get on the end of and a blocked shot from Ben Davies being all Notts managed to create in the first half. The hosts meanwhile were continuing to grow in confidence and should've had the lead when McDermott flicked on a throw in into the path of Drew Talbot who just had to slot the ball either side of Hoult but tamely struck his shot straight at Notts' 'keeper. Lester also had his first sniff soon after, latching onto a long ball but firing his left footed shot into the side netting when he really should've tested Russell Hoult. Lester once again failed when infront of goal soon after, with the talented forward seemingly clean through but being thwarted by a superb last ditch tackle from Brendan Moloney. The referee began to anger the away fans towards the end of the half, somehow missing a blatant foul on Moloney and then falling for a hilariously dramatic dive from Jack Lester after John Thompson had pulled out of the challenge. The resulting free-kick was cleared however and the Magpies got through to the break on level terms.
The second half began much as the first had ended, Donal McDermott testing the Notts defence, this time with a fierce free-kick that cannoned off the wall. Jack Lester also had another chance but the ball was smothered by Russell Hoult at the feet of the ex-Forest man. Notts manager Ian McParland sensed that the Magpies were struggling to get a foothold in the game and made his first change, replacing Luke Rodgers with Karl Hawley for the forward's longest Football League run-out for Notts so far. Lee Hughes had the best effort for Notts just before the hour mark, smartly turning at the far post but firing a shot over the bar when off balance. At this point Notts had finally managed to string a few passes together and were starting to come into the game for the first time on the night.
Ben Davies whipped in a couple of dangerous looking corners that were well dealt with at the second attempt by the home defence, before the stalemate was finally ended from the penalty spot. Jack Lester teased John Thompson before falling over the Notts captain's outstretched leg, he was looking for it but there was no doubt that the spot kick was going to be given and Jamie Lowry stepped up to take responsibility for Chesterfield. He fired the ball low into the bottom corner, just away from the fingertips of Russell Hoult, to give the Spireites a deserved lead. It was déja vu a couple of minutes later for Notts, with Stephen Hunt somehow failing to clear the ball away from Drew Talbot before hacking down the Chesterfield forward from behind for a stone wall spot kick. Lowry once again stepped up and this time sent Hoult sprawling the wrong way to double Chesterfield's lead infront of a delighted Kop.
This finally seemed to breathe some life into the visitors who ensured a tense finish a couple of minutes later. Ben Davies whipped in another dangerous set piece and this time Mike Edwards got a toe on the ball, forcing it past Tommy Lee and over the line. This set up a frantic finale which saw Notts camped in the Chesterfield half, Brendan Moloney cleverly danced inside onto his left foot but his goalbound shot was brilliantly blocked by Kevin Austin. Hawley had made a definite difference to the Magpies and held the ball up well, before coming within inches of levelling when he flung himself at a cross which then squirmed agonisingly across the line. The final chance was to come in injury time, with Ben Davies being dragged over before picking himself up and curling the free-kick inches wide of Tommy Lee's post. The final whistle went, much to the delight of the Chesterfield crowd and the massive away following was to go home disappointed. There is no need to panic, Notts were beaten by a side who performed better on the night, although a big improvement will be necessary when league leaders Dagenham & Redbridge visit Meadow Lane on Saturday.