A Ben Davies wonder strike proved decisive for Notts County against promotion hopefuls Chesterfield
Davies makes Magpies' game in hand count
A Ben Davies wonder strike proved decisive against promotion hopefuls Chesterfield, as Notts County manager Steve Cotterill maintained his perfect start with a fourth straight win, this time 1-0.
Left-winger Davies capitalised on a wayward clearance against the run of play on 25 minutes and rocketed a shot past Tommy Lee from 20 yards for his 11th of the season.
And County could have doubled their lead during a tempestuous first-half when Luke Rodgers' squirming effort was hacked off the line by Alan Goodall.
Splendid save
The Spireites, on the back of five consecutive away wins, came close to restoring parity after the interval only for Simon Whaley to scuff a sitter and Kasper Schmeichel to splendidly save Wade Small's effort.
County's Jon Thompson came closest to ending the contest after hitting an upright but following Chesterfield boss John Sheridan's exit to the stands, Rodgers twice spurned chances while Davies had his back post lunge kept out by Lee.
Despite a pulsating finale, County kept their fourth consecutive clean sheet to leapfrog Chesterfield in the table.
