Following their 1-0 defeat at lowly Bournemouth last week, it was a quick return to winning ways for Paul Simpson's men, who had dropped out of the play-off frame after midweek results elsewhere.
Although the visitors did restore level terms after central defender Michael Jackson had given Shrewsbury a 19th minute lead once skipper Ben Davies crashed home a free-kick early in the second half, the outcome was never in doubt as the home side created a host of opportunities.
On another day, top scorer Grant Holt would have added to his 22-goal tally for the season, but a number of chances throughout the afternoon went begging for division's leading marksmen.
But Holt played the role of provider in Shrewsbury's first significant attack of the match and although his cross found Terry Dunfield, the midfielder dragged his 15th minute shot wide.
Four minutes later, however, Town broke the deadlock and when Davies curled in a free-kick and Jackson rose highest in a crowded penalty area to score with a firm header from ten yards.
But Shrewsbury's lead only lasted seven minutes and when their defence hesitated, Scott Boden cut in from the left and from 12 yards drilled a low shot past Shrews keeper Luke Daniels to put Chesterfield level.
As the interval approached, Daniels saved well from Alan Goodall while at the other end Tommy Lee did likewise as he held onto Holt's fierce drive.
But there was nothing Lee could do when Davies ultimately won the match for Shrewsbury with his superbly struck free-kick from the edge of the box giving the Chesterfield goalkeeper no chance as the Shrews captain notched his tenth goal of the campaign.
Although a free-kick from Gregor Robertson clipped the Shrewsbury bar late on, the home side safely secured the points.