Lester, scorer of eight goals in his last 12 games, was the only player who looked as though he would break the deadlock in an entertaining game between two of the in-form sides in the division.
It was almost inevitable that a game involving the League's top scorers with 22 goals and a Darlington defence that had conceded only five, would end goalless. Thankfully there were chances in the game but neither side was able to take them.
In the 18th minute Darlington's stand-in goalkeeper David Stockdale was at full stretch to keep out a shot from Gregor Robertson and then two minutes later Lester raced through the middle before sending a poor shot wide of the target.
Darlington responded in the 22nd minute with a shot from on-loan striker Matt Green who should have scored from close range but allowed Chesterfield keeper Barry Roche to turn the ball around the post.
Five minutes later a mistake by Stockdale gave Chesterfield another opportunity and German winger Felix Bastians fired inches wide from just inside the area.
Six minutes from the interval Bastians was involved again when he headed a cross from Phil Picken against the woodwork.
The home side began the second half well and, in the 52nd minute, Johann Smith's free-kick was headed narrowly wide by defender Alan White.
In the 65th minute Jamie Ward broke clear for the visitors and his low shot was turned around the post by Stockdale.
The visitors had another chance to win it four minutes from time when Bastians' free-kick looked destined for the top corner until Stockdale finger-tipped the ball over the bar.