VIDEO: Novak's late goal seals Spireites' win
Lee Novak's 88th minute goal was enough to give Chesterfield a six-point safety cushion in League One.
Hosts Southend felt hard done by, having hit the post early on and been denied what Phil Brown felt was a sure penalty in the second half.
But what mattered was Novak’s late finish, as Spireites made it five games unbeaten and edged closer to securing their League One status.