The Shrimpers had suffered four defeats and were up against a Spireites side anxious to stretch their unbeaten run to five games.
Southend had the first meaningful attempt on 17 minutes when Mark Gower's ball over the top was intercepted by 10-goal top scorer Freddy Eastwood whose driven shot blazed across the face of Barry Roche's goal.
Paul Hall then saw his attempt from Sammy Clingan's corner headed clear by Spencer Prior, who was forming a formidable barrier alongside Adam Barrett.
At the other end Steve Blatherwick was having a fine game frustrating Southend's attempts to produce a decent final ball from their patient build-ups.
But it was the visitors who finally came close to breaking the deadlock on 34 minutes when Derek Niven forced a diving save from keeper Darryl Flahavan.
That was the only shot on target in 45 minutes as the first half finished goalless.
Southend manager Steve Tilson tried to spark some life into his team by bringing on striker Wayne Gray and winger James Lawson from the restart.
His plan seemed to work as the hosts dominated the early exchanges and saw Eastwood make a solo run, shake off Reuben Hazell and cross for Jay Smith to shoot over the bar.
But the Spireites weathered the storm and hit back thanks to impressive left-back Phil Picken setting up Wayne Allison who in turn crossed for Niven to shoot narrowly wide.
And Chesterfield should have been in front after 66 minutes when Kevan Hurst beat Prior and crossed for Allison to shoot, but his attempt hit strike partner Paul Hall on the line and he was penalised for offside.
The wasted chance was nearly punished two minutes later when Southend pressure in the final third resulted in Blues skipper Kevin Maher registering their first attempt on target but Roche smothered his shot.
The Shrimpers maintained the pressure with Roche parrying Lewis Hunt's shot and seeing Lawson's follow up go wide.
Then substitute Mark Bentley released Gray who beat the defence but was denied by Roche's feet.
Roy McFarland sensed his side might sneak a win and brought on Colin Larkin up front as he switched to a 4-4-3 formation.
Fellow substitute Caleb Folan came closest to securing the win but Flahavan held his tame shot before Hunt cleared the striker's header off the line.