Notts County heaped more misery on 10-man Chesterfield as they came away 2-1 victors at the Technique Stadium to all but end the Spireites National League title aspirations.
The Magpies took the lead through the National League's top scorer Macaulay Langstaff just before the half-hour mark, only for Armando Dobra to equalise in added time at the end of the first half.
But when Jeff King was shown a second yellow card following a late tackle on Cedwyn Scott, the visitors capitalised just eight minutes later, Adam Chicksen smashing home his ninth league goal of the season to send Luke Williams' side back to the top of the table.
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Ahead of kick-off, Williams made three changes to the side that had beaten Torquay last weekend, Jim O'Brien, Jodi Jones and Scott all recalled at the Technique Stadium.
With the hosts allowing Woking to take the lead early in their last game, the Magpies almost capitalised on an error inside two minutes from Jamie Grimes, with Langstaff seeing his effort cleared off the line after pushing the ball beyond Ross Fitzsimons.
However, the charged atmosphere inside the stadium seemed to inspire the hosts, with Notts guilty of gifting possession in dangerous areas. Ashley Palmer, Joe Quigley, and Branden Horton all saw efforts sail into the away end.
After surviving that period of pressure, Notts took the lead in style. Not normally known for their route one football, Sam Slocombe's pinpoint pass from inside his area found Langstaff in behind Grimes, and he took the ball in his stride before finishing beyond Fitzsimons to spark wild celebrations at the opposite end of the ground.
But on the stroke of half time Paul Cook's side levelled through Dobra, with Grimes rising highest from a corner kick that eventually fell to the Spireites number 17 to finish beyond Slocombe from close range.
Just like the first half, Langstaff again squandered another excellent opportunity in front of goal following great work from Jones to put the ball in behind the Chesterfield defence - only for Fitzsimons to guess right and produce a fantastic save.
And the frantic start to the game continued, with roles reversing from Notts' win at Plainmoor last week as King was shown a second yellow card for a high tackle, leaving the Spireites with a huge task to keep out Williams' free-scoring side.
But their defence was breached just eight minutes later, with Aaron Nemane dazzling once again with his pace and directness to fire a ball into the area for his fellow full-back to smash home in front of the travelling 1961 fans in front of him.
Despite going down to ten-men, the Spireites continued to push for the equaliser and they almost found it late on when substitute John Bostock was dispossessed by Dobra and his cross looked a dangerous one but failed to find Ryan Colclough inside the area.
The win was greeted by huge cheers from the travelling fans as another huge marker is put down by this excellent group of players and shift the pressure back on to Wrexham.
Here is how we rated the players at the Technique Stadium.
Sam Slocombe - 7
Pinpoint precision for Langstaff's opener and caused the Chesterfield defence problems all evening with the accuracy of his passes.
Kyle Cameron - 7
Lead by example and was keen to help his side attack when the opportunities arose. A brilliant performance from the Notts captain.
Aden Baldwin - 7
Provided a few nervy moments once again with loose passes into midfield during the first half but proved why he is one of the best central defenders in the division.
Connell Rawlinson - 7
Got involved in a needless scuffle with Dobra towards the end of the first half, but continued to put his head where it hurts on multiple occasions.
Adam Chicksen - 7.5
Another tireless performance from the marauding full-back. He had threatened in the first half that he may add to his tally, and he did with a smart finish from Nemane's cross.
Aaron Nemane - 8.5
What a season this man is having. Looked dangerous all evening with his directness and pace, adding to his assist tally with another excellent cross and run.
Jim O'Brien - 7
Provided that bite and aggression in midfield, producing many tackles in the defensive third to spur on the crowd and his team-mates.
Matty Palmer - 7
Caught in possession on a couple of occasions which is very rare to see. Improved as the game went as he looked to control against the ten-men.
Jodi Jones - 8
Looked increasingly more effective as the game went on and should have had an assist on his first league start with his inch-perfect pass for Langstaff.
Cedwyn Scott - 7
Worked tirelessly all evening, producing a gritty performance without much reward. There will be a few war wounds I'm sure.
Macaulay Langstaff - 9
Took his goal superbly to fire his 25th goal of the campaign, providing a real problem for Grimes all evening. Missed two important chances at the start of either half that could have killed the tie. Another exceptional performance.
SUBS:
John Bostock - 6.5
Provided that experience when having the man advantage. An excellent option to bring off the bench.
Sam Austin - 6
Another energetic performance during crucial moments of the game late on.
