Ben Davies scored the only goal of the game as Notts County triumphed over League Two promotion rivals Chesterfield on Tuesday.
County are now fourth, just above the Spireites on goal difference, and both sides were boosted by the news from Gigg Lane, where Bury were held to a 1-1 draw by basement club Darlington.
Ben Futcher's foul on Gary Smith allowed Tadgh Purcell to put the Quakers ahead with a penalty, but the Shakers levelled from a spot-kick of their own, Ryan Lowe converting after Josh Gray fouled Steven Dawson, and went third.
Elsewhere, Crewe beat Grimsby 4-2, Robert Taylor grabbed Port Vale's winner in a 2-1 triumph over Bradford and substitute Mathew Tipton's penalty earned Macclesfield a 1-1 draw at Accrington.
