Paul Robinson completed an impressive recovery for Hartlepool with a late winner that knocked Chesterfield back after two straight wins.
Hartlepool were a different team to the one thumped at Blackpool on Saturday and defended bravely for long periods to deny the home side.
An own goal by Ian Evatt had opened the scoring and although Jamie Cade levelled, Robinson scored an impressive goal on the break to win the match.
Chesterfield had long periods of the play but Hartlepool were solid and Chris Westwood was an superb at the heart of defence.
Boss Neale Cooper said: "This was a massive result for us. It was vital we bounced back and we showed total grit and dug in deep at times." Chesterfield assistant manager Lee Richardson was upset with the goals his side conceded. He said: "This game was a cameo of our season. The defending for the goals was shocking and two bad moments in the match have cost us." Evatt could not be blamed for the opener as he tried to clear at full stretch a low drive from Marcus Richardson with Eifion Williams waiting to pounce.
But the defending that allowed Richardson in was certainly poor, although Chesterfield responded well in the second half.
The pace of Cade almost brought an equaliser in the 51st minute, but two minutes later he was in the right place to put the ball in from six yards when Hartlepool failed to clear.
Marvin Robinson headed against a post as the Spireites piled on the pressure, but it was another Robinson that had the final word.
Paul Robinson had only been on the field for five minutes when he picked the ball up on the left-hand touchline, cut inside past Alan O'Hare and Steve Payne before driving a right-foot shot under the body of Carl Muggleton from just inside the area.