Chesterfield stormed to a win that had seemed beyond them in an exciting finish at Rutland Park on Sunday.

Chasing a total of 223 they made a bright start as Alan Gofton (44) led the way in an opening stand of 77.

But the early momentum was lost during a lengthy period of containing cricket from the Ilkeston attack led by Derbyshire's Wayne White and South African Jan Adendorff.

At the start of the final ten overs, Chesterfield were on 137-4 with a further 87 needed for victory.

Attempts by Alex Hibbert and Ross Whiteley to increase the scoring rate were largely frustrated with 43 runs off the next six overs leaving another 44 required off the final four overs.

The Chesterfield pair resorted to increasingly extravagant shots blasting 38 off the next two overs to set up the win with a surprising seven balls to spare.

Hibbert (80 not out) and Whiteley (47) were the heroes of the hour with a 98-run partnership culminating in the explosive finish.

Earlier in the day Ilkeston hit a respectable 222-6 with Brian Gladwin (3-58) taking the bowling honours for Chesterfield.

Ilkeston Rutland seven points, Chesterfield 22 points.

Chesterfield 1st XI 203-8, Dunstall 190-7
(Derbyshire Premier League)

Chesterfield had the better of a close contest against Dunstall at Queen's Park on Saturday in a game that witnessed an outstanding all-round performance from Simon Lacey.

The former Derbyshire player was at his best in compiling an undefeated 53 in Chesterfield's hard-fought 203-8 before derailing the Dunstall reply with a return of 5-30 from a 15 overs spell.

Prior to the start of the game, both teams stood in a minute's silence in memory of George Lowe, the former Derbyshire and Chesterfield player, who died a week earlier at the age of 92.

Chesterfield 15 points, Dunstall 11 points.

Chesterfield 2nd XI 167-7, Belper Amateurs 1st XI 154-9
(Derbyshire County League 2N)

Andy McCarroll (3-39) and Minest Keshwala (3-26) took Chesterfield close to a win as Belper Amateurs held on at 154-9.

Earlier Chesterfield totalled 167-7 with good contributions from Simon Westwell (30) and Rob McCarroll (33).

Belper Amateurs ten points, Chesterfield 15 points.

Denby 2nd XI 225-6, Chesterfield 2nd XI 187-4
(Derbyshire County League 2N)

A much-changed Chesterfield side struggled to contain Denby at Queen's Park on Sunday.

The visitors totalled 225-6 before Chesterfield comfortably batted out the day to finish on 187-4 with major contributions from Rob McCarroll (46), Dean Hopkinson (57) and Simon Westwell (34).

Chesterfield ten points, Denby 16 points.

Chesterfield 3rd XI 117-9, Langley Mill 119-8
(Derbyshire County League 6N)

Chesterfield found the going difficult for their first game on Calow's ground and their total of 117-9 relied heavily on a fine innings from Chris Fletcher (52).