Chesterfield needed victory to boost their chances of avoiding relegation while Doncaster were desperate for a win to strengthen their chances of making the play-offs.
Brian Stock put Rovers in front with a deflected shot in the 25th minute but Paul Hall converted what was Chesterfield's first penalty since last April just before half-time.
In the end, a draw was about right although both teams had their chances in what became an increasingly open second half.
Rovers had started the game the more confidently and Danny Cadamarteri almost fashioned a chance in the fifth minute. His pace and power took him behind the home defence but his low cross was scrambled clear by Jamie Lowry who was playing his first game since recovering from glandular fever.
Chesterfield struggled to cope with Doncaster's quick passing and it was no surprise when Stock put them in front with a shot that took a deflection on its way past Barry Roche.
But the Spireites have always shown plenty of spirit and they hit back four minutes before the break when Adam Lockwood took the legs of Hall near the right-hand touchline.
Referee Andy Woolner had no hesitation in awarding the penalty and Hall sent Neil Sullivan the wrong way with a calmly taken spot-kick.
Colin Larkin might have capitalised on that just before the break when he got away on the Doncaster right but Sullivan beat out his shot before dropping on the rebound.
The penalty had certainly lifted Chesterfield who pushed Doncaster back at the start of the second half but they could not create a clear opening.
The closest they came was a right-foot shot by Hall from the edge of the area that went just wide with Sullivan beaten and Doncaster fought their way back into the game although they also struggled to create a clear-cut chance.
Stock and Sean Thornton re-established their control in midfield but the final ball into the box lacked quality and it took a mix-up between Roche and his defence to give James Coppinger a glimpse of goal but the winger failed to take advantage.
Rovers showed their intention by bringing on another striker in Lewis Guy and his first contribution could have been a winning one but he failed to make contact when a corner to the back post found him unmarked.
Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages but in the end they had to settle for a point that leaves Chesterfield in the bottom four and Rovers still someway off the top six.