Former Rochdale favourite David Perkins fired the winner in an entertaining 3-2 victory for Chesterfield.
Five goal thriller goes the way of the visitors
Former Rochdale favourite David Perkins returned to haunt his old club, firing the winner in an entertaining 3-2 victory for Chesterfield.
Two goals in the space of three minutes gave Chesterfield a two-goal advantage by the break in an evenly-contested game.
Jack Lester broke the deadlock in the 25th minute and doubled his side's advantage when Wade Small released him through the middle before finishing well.
The home side were brighter at the start of the second half and Chris O'Grady pulled one back with his curling effort. Three minutes later Rochdale were level when Simon Whaley's corner was met by Craig Dawson's header.
Chesterfield hit back, Mark Little hitting the crossbar with a deflected 25-yard effort and it was another deflected strike, this time from Perkins, that put them back in front on 63 minutes.
Despite a late rally from Rochdale, the Chesterfield backline held firm to secure three points.
