Town claimed a first clean sheet since October and became the first team to score in the league against John Sheridan's Chesterfield with a 1-0 victory at Proact Stadium.
An early own goal from Scott Boden helped Town on the way to victory in Derbyshire and moved Simon Weaver's side back into the play off places in the National League table.Town travelled to Chesterfield's Proact stadium for the first time ever in their history, with the opponents having had a mini resurgence since the turn of the new year, not conceding in 2019 and only losing one game in their last nine fixtures.
Weaver made one change as Kelvin Langmead came in for Liam Kitching, with George Thomson lining up on the left of midfield, and Jack Emmett on the right.
The first chance of the game fell to the away side as ex – Chesterfield man Lloyd Kerry got an effort away at goal after some good passing play from Town, but Spireites keeper Shwan Jalal saved well.
Town wouldn't rue the missed opportunity for long, In the eighth minute after prolonged pressure from a Thomson corner, Town's number seven's cross bounced off Chesterfield forward Boden, landing in his own goal.
The first goal Chesterfield have conceded under John Sheridan in the league after 465 minutes of football.
Despite falling behind Chesterfield were still running at the Harrogate defence, with ex- Premier League striker Marc Antoine-Fortune battling it out with Callum Howe on several occasions.
In the 29th minute Thomson very nearly doubled the lead for the visiting side. After a good run from Emmett down the right-hand side, he picked out Thomson who drilled a low effort at goal but a deflection off Haydn Hollis diverted the shot out for a corner.
On the stroke of half time Chesterfield had their first significant chance of the game, an out swinging corner picked out Lee Shaw who struck it well but couldn't keep his shot under the Harrogate bar.
After the break Harrogate could've doubled their lead, a defensive mistake from Curtis Weston allowed Kerry to pick up the ball, but he dragged his shot wide under pressure.
Town were continuing to pile pressure on the Chesterfield goal as the game went on, Jack Muldoon continuing to look lively and causing lots of issues for the home defence.
Chesterfield really struggled to get a foothold in the game, Town's high energy and efficient performance meant the side that had only lost once in their last nine in the league were struggling for ideas.
Ellis Chapman whipping in a cross for Boden who headed just wide, the only significant chance for the home side in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
Chesterfield did grow into the game though and in the 74th minute they could've levelled the game. Substitute Jerome Binnom-Williams whipped in a dangerous cross-field pass for Boden who controlled the ball well but couldn't get an effort away at goal thanks to a brilliantly timed tackle from captain Josh Falkingham.
In the 89th minute Chesterfield had a great opportunity to equalise, as Charlie Carter flashed an effort over bar after a questionable corner was awarded to the home side.
Moments later Chesterfield were inches away from finding the equaliser. The tall frame of Tom Denton was picked out by fellow substitute Binnom-Williams, Denton headed at the goal and struck the inside of the post, leaving Belshaw rooted to the ground.
Despite the late pressure, Town held on, claiming their first clean sheet since October and moving up to seventh in the National League table.
Town: Belshaw, Fallowfield, Falkingham, Howe, Burrell, Thomson, Emmett (Mottley – Henry 77), Beck, Langmead, Kerry, Muldoon (Williams 84)
Subs: Cracknell, Kitching, Woods
Goals: Boden OG 8
Chesterfield: Jalal, Maguire, Weston (Carter 54), Shaw (Binnom-Williams 70), Weir, Hollis, Smith, Fortune (Denton 51), Yarney, Boden, Chapman.
Subs: Anyon, Mckay
Referee: A Miller
Attendance: 4661 (231 away)
Report by Isaac Martin