Notts County's eleven-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 3-1 defeat at Chesterfield this afternoon.

The Spireites led at the break thanks to Jamie Ward's cool finish, and Alan Goodall extended their lead before the hour.

Delroy Facey reduced the deficit within two minutes with his third goal in as many games, but the home side secured the win in the final minutes through sub Paul Harsley.

Notts welcomed key defender Michael Johnson back into their starting XI for the game at Saltergate after a two-game absence with a toe problem. He replaced Paul Mayo in the only change from the 2-2 draw at Gillingham in midweek.

The game began at a frantic pace with both sides forcing a corner in the first two minutes - but neither side could make that early pressure count.

The first chance of the game fell to the home side as dangermen Ward and Lester teamed up well, but the latter dragged his effort wide in a packed penalty box on five minutes.

A headers wide by Alan Goodall and Kevin Austin from dangerous crosses from the right had Notts' pulses racing, and from the touchline Assistant Manager Dave Kevan could be heard shouting "let's start now, let's get going" as the home side began to find themselves in some promising attacking areas.

Notts responded to that call with wingers Hamshaw and Weston seeing more of the ball - and both Hamshaw and midfielder Adam Nowland had shots blocked from outside the box.

Richard Butcher latched onto a poor header by Winter on twenty-seven minutes to fire a left-foot volley just over the bar as Notts began to get on top. But then against the run of play they were dealt a hammer blow.

And within a minute of Butcher's chance the home side were ahead. Jamie Ward broke the offside trap to have a clear run on goal, and he rounded Russell Hoult and slid the ball into the empty net to hand the Spireites the lead.

Alan Goodall fluffed a good chance to make it 2-0 as he dragged his shot wide from Ward's neat lay-off as Chesterfield continued to pour forwards full of confidence.

A left-foot effort just wide by Adam Nowland was the best Notts could manage before the break.

Michael Johnson was replaced at the break after picking up a knock in the first-half, with Paul Mayo coming on in his place.

Hoult routinely claimed Ward's curling effort from outside the box early in the half, but it was Notts putting on the early pressure.

Hamshaw flashed a twenty-yard effort just wide as Notts upped the pressure, and a dangerous cross was cut out by the stretching Weston.

After all that pressure, the home side edged further ahead just before the hour as a neat passing move resulted in a shot from outside the box for Goodall - who saw his shot deflect off Clapham and find the back of the net beyond the wrong-footed Russell Hoult.

But, just like in midweek, Notts were back in the game within two minutes. A corner from Hamshaw was too long and found Weston at the far post, and he dug out a dangerous cross which was helped on by Forrester and at the far post was Delroy Facey who headed the ball into the net from a few yards out.

That sparked Notts into life, and Carson in the home goal had to be alert to stop Jamie Clapham's long-range effort.

With twenty to go Spencer Weir-Daley, who scored in this fixture last season, came off the bench in place of Jamie Forrester.

Notts were certainly asking more questions of the home side, but were struggling to create clear opening to test the Spireites fully.

Hoult made a fine save to deny Jack Lester in the final ten minutes, but he was powerless to stop Paul Harsley in injury time who slotted home after Hoult had made a superb save to deny Derek Niven after an incisive breakaway which looked suspiciously offside.

Hoult made a fine save from Lloyd Kerry late on, as the home side chased more goals to add further gloss to the victory.

Notts have a chance to bounce back from this defeat quickly, with Rochdale the visitors to Meadow Lane on Tuesday night.

Full Time: Chesterfield 3-1 Notts County

Chesterfield: Carson, Robertson (Austin 9), Lowry (Niven 75), Page, Ward, Goodall, Lester, Downes, Winter (Harsley 85), Kerry, Gray
Subs Not Used: Currie, Teixeira
Booked: None
Sent Off: None
Goals: Ward (28), Goodall (57), Harsley (90)

Notts County: Hoult, Thompson, Edwards (C), Johnson (Mayo 46), Clapham, Hamshaw, Butcher, Nowland, Weston, Facey, Forrester (Weir-Daley 71)
Subs Not Used: Pilkington, Smith, Canham 
Booked Nowland
Sent Off: None
Goals: Facey (60)

Match Referee: Mr M Atkinson

Attendance: 4,134 (1,076 Notts County fans)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Mike Edwards