But with half an hour gone and many Koppites chanting for an end to Lee Richardson's reign, three points seemed a far-flung prospect.

However Derek Niven pulled a goal back within a minute of Andy Proctor's penalty-spot second goal to give Spireites a platform to build from.

The Saltergate side never looked back and ran out deserved winners against a side that lost its discipline.

Stanley had six men booked and manager John Coleman sent from the dug-out as they imploded and showed just why they have the most fragile defence in all of the leagues.

And with Rochdale and Morecambe losing, Spireites' position in the to seven looks healthier than it had threatened to at 3.30pm on Saturday.

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However, with Jack Lester set to miss the next couple of weeks at least with a broken nose, the win came at a cost.

Richardson brought back Derek Niven and Gregor Robertson into midfield and reverted to a 4-4-2 formation. In blustery conditions, Chesterfield began as the dominant side.

Aaron Downes saw an early header from the first of 11 home corners (without reply) blocked and fellow centre-half Janos Kovacs saw a firm header planted into the back of the net but a shove by a colleague meant that his effort didn't count.

Lester then whacked the side netting after a Phil Picken pass as the hosts began to threaten.

However, Stanley then scored from their first real chance. Peter Hartley made a hash of a clearance that went straight to Jay Harris. He dwelled on the ball for an age and the chance seemed to have been lost but a lay-off back to Phil Edwards led to a far-post cross finding Aswad Thomas. His header thumped against the bar and ricocheted out for Andy Proctor to guide the ball home.

Bad turned to worse when Shaun Whalley was felled by Barry Roche and Proctor, who levelled for Stanley from the spot against Chesterfield in December, repeated that feat to double the Lancastrians' advantage.

Cue 'Rico out' chants, no doubt borne from the frustration that Accrington had looked nothing more than adequate but were suddenly two up.

Within a whisker, the deficit had been halved. Derek Niven banged in his third goal of the season from 20 yards, beating keeper Kenny Arthur to his left.

Jamie Ward forced a sharp save before Lester's misfortune. A stray elbow caught the leading scorer as Peter Leven delivered a corner and the Spireites' talisman left the field with blood gushing from his nasal wound. David Dowson deputised.

The first half ended with a Arthur saving from Robertson's flick and a Ward header being cleared off the line by David Mannix. There was enough to suggest a comeback was on course.

Robertson, recovering from a thigh injury, was replaced by Steve Fletcher and his impact was immediate and turned the game.

The substitution was made as Leven prepared to launch a long throw. He aimed for the sub whose presence was enough to force defender Mark Roberts to head into his own goal. All square.
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