The visitors were able to complete the double over Notts thanks to a first-half strike by Drew Talbot which gave wayward Notts an object lesson in how to find the net.
The goal came in 37 minutes by which time the Magpies should have been ahead.
Apart from their own lack of accuracy in front of the posts Notts could also point to a couple of good saves by the Spireites' goalkeeper Tommy Lee.
The one he made in the 17th minute was the best by either keeper throughout.
A splendid piece of play by John Thompson set up Adam Nowland whose effort was thrillingly tipped over the bar by Lee who did well again just after the half-hour mark.
Again he conceded a corner - this time in denying Jamie Forrester - and from the flag kick Mike Edwards badly mis-cued in front of goal.
Until that point Chesterfield had created only one clear-cut scoring opportunity which Martin Gritton hit over the top.
Then, eight minutes before half-time, a splendid breakaway move broke the deadlock. Gritton started it, Jack Lester carried it on and his astute pass picked out Talbot. With the Notts defenders retreating Talbot lashed the ball into the far corner.
Notts' on-loan goalkeeper Josh Lillis was left without a hope of saving having done good work earlier.
The second half was less open and developed into a sterile contest. Notts lacked creativity and Chesterfield's defenders generally had the better of it despite the home side enjoying plenty of possession.
Notts came closest when Thompson shaved an upright ten minutes from the finish.
Notts had lost Nowland - replaced by Nathaniel Wedderburn - in the 21st minutes and after the game it was confirmed that Nowland had suffered a hamstring problem.