Luke Williams was full of praise for newest recruit Jodi Jones on his first league start for Notts County but explained his evening was almost ended early.
It was the Magpies' 22nd game unbeaten in the National League, with Macaulay Langstaff and Adam Chicksen on target to cancel out Armando Dobra's first-half equaliser to return to the summit of the table.
Jones was one of three changes for the Notts boss ahead of kick-off, with the 25-year-old identified as the man to fill the suspended Ruben Rodrigues' shoes.
READ MORE: Notts County player ratings as Langstaff and Nemane shine against 10-man Chesterfield
And following Jeff King's second bookable offence for a late tackle on Cedwyn Scott, it was roles reversed from their trip to Devon as Williams' side had to find a way beyond the Spireites' defence, which they managed just eight minutes later through their Zimbabwean full-back.
And the Notts boss spoke after the game about the tactical decisions behind having a man advantage but revealed the decision that he felt could have allowed Paul Cook's side back into the contest.
"We changed to some degree with one player less last week, but we wanted to play with two strikers, but then I changed the substitution card.
"Jodi was coming off and I thought he was fantastic and it's a lot of minutes for someone who has not played a lot - and he was coming off for Sam Austin.
"But when Cedwyn took the yellow card, I quickly changed the substitution to take Cedwyn off because the only way the game can swing back in the other way is if we lose a player as well.
"We were not able to change many things tactically that we wanted to, but Chesterfield was so brave in the latter stages and stopped us from being able to control the game."
The Magpies boss named Jodi Jones in his starting line-up for his first league start since joining from Oxford United last month, and put on another encouraging performance, particularly in the second half.
"To come into this game from the beginning was difficult for him," explained Williams on his decision to put Jones in for the suspended Ruben Rodrigues.
"There were some turnovers of the ball that you wouldn't expect from a player of this quality but then he grew into the game and showed throughout the game what quality he has.
"His attitude to run and to recover was so impressive and I am so happy with that."
With the fixtures coming thick and fast for Notts, there is no time to relish this important victory, with Barnet visiting Meadow Lane on Tuesday evening as the National League's top four sides face off.
And with Jones' performance from the start, it gives Williams food for thought ahead of next week's clash, but he insisted it is an exciting prospect having both players available.
"We expect Ruben to come back into the team because he is a special player for us and gives us reassurance and his quality as well.
"But, I don't think that rules Jodi out completely and we are now in a great position to have these two players of real high levels of quality in the team together potentially."
