NOTTS County are on the march, aptly given the time of year.

With two wins in four days against Accrington and even more satisfyingly now against Chesterfield at Meadow Lane, they have climbed three places to fourth in League Two.

Ben Davies scored his 11th goal of the season to seal a hugely significant, and thoroughly deserved, victory against the Spireites.

Amazingly, it is their first win against a top-seven team this season so it will give Notts a massive psychological boost ahead of playing the likes of Bournemouth next Monday night, leaders Rochdale, Bury and Rotherham, all at Meadow Lane before the end of April.

With his recovery from a hamstring injury helped by using an oxygen chamber, Stephen Hunt returned at left-back for Notts after missing the 3-0 win at Accrington.

He replaced Jamie Clapham, who scored his first goal of the season in the Magpies' previous home game, a 1-0 win against Macclesfield.

It was the only change made by Steve Cotterill, from Accrington.

Notts were intent on building on a perfect start to Cotterill's reign against Chesterfield, having won his first three games in charge, by scoring nine goals, and conceding none.

After the victories against Hereford United, Macclesfield and Accrington, the Spireites posed a far greater challenge to the Magpies' promotion credentials.

Not only were the visitors occupying third place in the League Two table before the game, three points above Notts, who were in fifth, they arrived at Meadow Lane as the in-form away side in the basement division, with five wins in their last five away games.

The Magpies began brightly, with Craig Westcarr in threatening form.

Kasper Schmeichel, who was awarded a PFA Fans' Player of the Month trophy on the touchline before kick-off, was almost a complete spectator as his outfield team-mates put the Spireites under permanent pressure in the opening stages.

Notts were thoroughly on top, and Hughes almost put Rodgers through on goal on 13 minutes but one of the visitors' centre-backs, Robert Page, was alert to the threat and intercepted Hughes' attempted pass with an outstretched leg.

Four minutes later, in reply for Chesterfield, Wade Small dragged an effort well wide of Schmeichel's right-hand post from 30 yards.

Notts capitalised on their command to take a deserved lead on 20 minutes.

It was another wonder strike for Davies' scrapbook this season as he pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and drove it powerfully past Chesterfield keeper Tommy Lee.

Lee was at full-stretch to his right, but Davies was far too precise in his placement and the ball flew into the bottom corner of the net.

With the Spireites stunned, Notts threatened to take a two-goal lead five minutes later when Rodgers aimed a pass towards Hughes at the far post but Alan Goodall hooked it away from inside the six-yard box.

Later in the first half, the Magpies were infuriated with two free-kick decisions that went against them in quick succession.

Simon Whaley curled them both purposefully into the penalty area with his right foot, one after the other, but Notts looked utterly resolute and cleared confidently each time.

They were soon back on the attack and Westcarr went close to scoring on 37 minutes. He fired narrowly over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.

Westcarr was quickly involved after the break, beating Goodall down the right wing and racing into the penalty area on 49 minutes. But his cross was poor and flashed harmlessly across the face of goal.

Chesterfield responded swiftly, with a counter-attack down their left wing. Small whipped a cross into the six-yard box that caused a moment's unease for the Magpies until Schmeichel took control and claimed it.

Notts were denied a 2-0 lead by the woodwork on 53 minutes. Westcarr spread the ball out wide to captain John Thompson, who was raiding down the right wing.

He coolly cut inside Drew Talbot, who had tracked his run from defence, and then struck a powerful effort that hit the outside of the near post.

Just a minute later, the Spireites could have been level. In fact, they would have been if Schmeichel had not pulled off an outstanding save to deny Small.

The winger wrong-footed the young Dane with a powerful low effort from the edge of the penalty area, but the Magpies' No.1 readjusted rapidly and held it at full-stretch low down to his left.

The frustration of Chesterfield boss John Sheridan spilled over just after the hour mark and he was sent to the stands by referee Keith Stroud.

Rodgers then twice went close to doubling Notts' lead. First, he tested Lee with a swerving 20-yard strike on 70 minutes and then he blazed narrowly over the bar with his left foot a minute later.

Delroy Facey replaced Rodgers on 82 minutes and he was involved as they almost wrapped the game up a minute later, crossing the ball to the far post where Davies was denied by Lee at his near post.

With a narrow lead to protect, it was a nervy end to the game.

But Notts claimed a crucial victory after four minutes of injury time. It was a wonderful game, and a win that is worth more than three points to Notts.