The 4-2 win drew a line under two straight defeats but it was a rollercoaster ride at Saltergate.

The Spireites trailed 2-0 after half an hour before Derek Niven pulled one back with a great 25-yard shot.

Leading marksman Jack Lester had to go off with a broken nose but the introduction of Steve Fletcher brought instant rewards as two strikes in a minute – one an own goal and the other from Jamie Lowry – gave Lee Richardson's men the lead.

Five minutes from the end Jamie Ward celebrated his call-up to the Northern Ireland U21s by slotting a fourth to seal the victory.

Chesterfield had much the better of the early exchanges as Aaron Downes watched Phil Edwards block his glancing header on the line and Janos Kovacs headed the ball home after the whistle had been blown while Lester could only blast a great Phil Picken pass into the side netting.

But it was Stanley who took a 22nd lead following a howler from full back Peter Hartley.

The teenage full back on loan from Sunderland made a hash of moving the ball out of defence and after the ball had been sprayed back into the Blues penalty area, Andrew Proctor, first to react after Aswad Thomas clattered the bar with a header, tucked it home from close range.

Seven minutes later Shaun Whalley, running on to a through ball but heading for the corner flag, made the most of Barry Roche's presence by persuading the referee that he had been felled in the area.

It was a very harsh decision but after Proctor, with his 11th of the season, netted the spot kick, there were chants of 'Rico out' from the Kop.

The shock of being 2-0 down had hardly sunk in before Niven, recalled to the starting line-up for the first time in a month, gave the Spireites a lifeline with a well-struck shot from well outside the area. It was the midfielder's second goal of the season.

Frontman David Dowson, also on loan from Sunderland, replaced the stricken Lester just before half time but it was the introduction of Fletcher that paid instant dividends.

He replaced Gregor Robertson in the 57th minute and his first touch led to the equalising goal.

Skipper Peter Leven launched a long throw in from the Compton Street side and Fletcher touched it on with his head at the near post.