Chesterfield's dogged defence laid the groundwork for another narrow victory, as they ended Plymouth's 26-match unbeaten home run.
Marcus Ebdon scored the only goal with a shot from out of the blue, midway through the second half, extending the Spireites' unbeaten run to five games during which they have not conceded a goal.
Argyle manager Paul Sturrock had criticised his forwards for their lack of goals and it was no surprise to see him make a double change in that department, with Michael Evans and Ian Stonebridge coming in for Nathan Lowndes and Blair Sturrock. Martin Phillips also replaced David Beresford.
Chesterfield, fresh from a 1-0 victory over Stockport brought in Martyn Booty and Jamie Burt for Mark Hudson, who proposed transfer from Middlesborough had not gone through, and the injured Chris Brandon.
Despite plenty of honest endeavour from both sides, clear-cut goal scoring opportunities were few and far between. Plymouth should have taken the lead midway through the first half when Graham Coughlan played Hasney Aljofree in behind the opposition defence, but the Argyle defender miscued his shot.
Then, just before the interval, Evans combined with Phillips to set-up Lee Hodges for a close range header, which he wastefully put over the crossbar.
Both sides created half chances after the interval, Phillips under hitting a shot that Carl Muggleton collected easily, and the ever lively Burt driving the ball over and then drilling in a shot which Romain Larrieu saved well.
Ebdon broke the deadlock with his goal from nowhere in the 69th minute, picking up a loose ball 35 yards from goal and unleashing a right foot shot that dipped and swerved away from Larrieu.
Chesterfield's defence, supplemented by substitute Steve Blatherwick after Captain Steve Payne damaged his ankle ligaments, duly completed their fifth successive shut out in the face of some determined play from the home side. Plymouth's best chance of an equaliser fell to David Friio, but his header from Paul Wotton's corner hit the post.
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