Macclesfield's Football League status was confirmed for another year after Gareth Evans capped a fine move to tap-in late in the first half.

Results elsewhere meant Macc could have lost and still been safe, however the 42^nd minute goal eased nerves as the home side had created little until that point.

Chesterfield, left with nothing to play for after their play-off dream ended last week, were without 24-goal Jack Lester and Macc's top marksman Francis Green began on the bench.

In the fourth minute a strong penalty claim was turned down by referee Trevor Kettle as Jamie Tolley's flick into the box appeared to hit a Chesterfield arm.

From then on though the play was all with the Spireites and Macc looked nervy at the back, conceding a number of unnecessary corners.Without Lester the away attack still threatened, with the little and large partnership of Steve Fletcher and Jamie Ward looking dangerous.

Fletcher nodded a free kick down for Ward in the sixth minute and after a smart turn his near post effort was blocked by Luke Dimech.

Fletcher got his head to the resulting corner forcing Neil Ashton had to flick the ball behind from his position on the far post and soon afterwards Richard Walker had to clear from under his own crossbar following a low ball across the six yard box.

Fletcher and Ward linked up to good effect again on 20 minutes with the powerful Fletcher diverting a long ball on to Ward who controlled it brilliantly with his chest and fired a volley straight at Jonathon Brain.

Jamie Ward - Looked lively up front and Fletcher was a good foil for him to trouble the Macc backline

The Silkmen hardly got going at all in the opening half hour and it looked only a matter of time before Chesterfield had the goal their play had deserved.

Jamie Lowry's free kick into the box was met by Janoc Kovacs who easily climbed above Martin Gritton but it went straight into Brain's arms.

On a rare Macc attack another handball claim was waved away and the visitors broke down the right. Ward beat his man and rolled the ball across the face of goal where under no pressure Hessey put the ball behind for yet another flag-kick to the away side.

Lloyd Kerry should have broken the deadlock when he got inside Sean Hessey in the box in the 29^th minute.His vicious strike looked to be heading towards the far corner before a magnificent diving save from Brain pushed it away and it fortunately fell to a blue shirt to clear.

Despite all Chesterfield's attacking it was the Silkmen who took the lead and it came from the first and only real quality attacking move of the afternoon.Ashton played the ball into Gritton's feet and a clever return pass gave him space on the left to play the ball into the area where Evans was charging in to tap home his seventh of the campaign.

Evans could have made it two in first half stoppage time when Thomas dribbled across from the left and without the confidence to shoot on his right foot he laid the ball off to the young striker who smashed an effort into the side netting.

Minutes into the second period Thomas chased a long ball over the defence and after his first touch took him too wide to shoot he delayed his cross with players free in the centre and when it eventually found its way to Evans his shot was blocked.

Danny Thomas - His pace took him beyond the Chesterfield defence and should have made more of his chances

Ward had the ball in the net on 65 minutes, hooking it in from close range following a misdirected effort from Kerry, however the flag was raised for offside.

Green came on to replace Gritton and the speedy front man got amongst the action immediately.Chasing a ball over the top he got goal-side of Peter Hartley who tugged him back and as the ball bounced through to the keeper the referee waved away the claims of a foul which would surely have seen the Spireites defender being given his marching orders.

Chances became limited at both ends in the last 20 minutes or so, with Macc happy to hold on for a single goal victory and it looked as if a number of Chesterfield players were fairly disinterested and had an eye on their summer holidays with nothing left to play for.

Evans dribbled inside from the right and drew a top save from Barry Roche and at the other end Ward's low effort was blocked by one of his team-mates.

With two minutes remaining Thomas broke free only for a superb last-ditch challenge from skipper Phil Picken to win the ball off him just as he was about to pull the trigger.He should have got a shot away long before Picken had got back and also got a knock for his troubles which forced him to be substituted for James Jennings in injury time.

The final whistle blew to mass cheers from the home fans who only two months ago were looking at the real possibility of a return to the Conference.Keith Alexander must take huge credit for the dramatic turn-around and five wins from his ten games in charge has been a magnificent achievement.

He will now have chance to blood a few youngsters at the Deva Stadium next week, as for the first time in three years safety will not be decided on the last day.The Silkmen will have a match with nothing to play for but local pride and if Chester are beaten by Stockport on Tuesday a Macc victory on the final day could see their Cheshire neighbours relegated.

Andy Brinkhurst

*Keith Alexander's reaction to the victory will be available online tomorrow