Johnson's cracking catch plays key role in Chesterfield's crucial victory

A moment of magic helped to set up a double celebration for Chesterfield on the final day of the Derbyshire County Cricket League season.

The first team beat Swarkestone by eight wickets at Queen's Park to avoid relegation from the Premier Division and the seconds were four-wicket winners at Ashbourne to book promotion from Division Four North.

The first team had to win their match and hope other results went in their favour.

It was not looking promising when Swarkestone, put in to bat, reached 82-2.

But then Ajay Khunti, on 33, lifted a delivery from seamer Ben Martindale towards the square-leg boundary.

Reece Johnson raced in, dived and held on to a magnificent match-turning catch.

Matt Taylor took two wickets in the next over and, with Martindale striking again, the visitors slumped to 88-6 and were unable to recover.

Matt Stewart, who took two wickets in his first spell, returned to take two more to finish with 4-24. In recent games he has bowled several impressive spells and has been a key figure in Chesterfield avoiding the drop.

Skipper Harry Wilmott claimed the final two wickets with his off-spin and Swarkestone were all out for 124.

Chesterfield have suffered several batting collapses this season but they gave an assured display under pressure in the finale.

Martindale (34) and Wilmott (43) were soon striking the ball cleanly and shared an opening stand of 74 in 12 overs.

Kemira Wijenayake and Luke Westwell, who both made 21 not out, ensured there were no late alarms and Westwell clinched victory with a six over mid-wicket as Chesterfield won with 27 of their 50 overs to spare. Then they faced an anxious wait for other results. Alrewas won their rain-hit match at Denby on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method to go back above Chesterfield. But Duffield were struggling in their run chase at Ockbrook & Borrowash before rain meant the game was abandoned. Chesterfield therefore finished 10th in the 12-team table on 245 points, four clear of Duffield who are relegated with Eckington.

Off-spinners Chamath Perera and Joe Simpkin sparked an astonishing collapse during the seconds' win.

Ashbourne had an opening stand of 53 before Perera (5-54) and Simpkin (2-42) reduced them to 57-7 although they rallied to 144 all out.

The game was in the balance with Chesterfield on 96-5 but Eddy Allcock (42 not out) steered them over the line with four wickets and 15 of their 45 overs in hand.

Chesterfield finished second on 386 points and are promoted with champions Duffield (397). The third team beat Buxton by 40 runs.

James Linacre hit 106 and Liam Penrose 56 not out in Chesterfield's 260-3 off 40 overs before Tim Imran (4-35) and George Hallam (3-21) helped to bowl out the visitors for 220. Chesterfield finished third in Division Eight North.