Notts County have been promoted back to the Football League after an enthralling encounter at Wembley ended with Cedwyn Scott firing home the deciding spot-kick after the National League play-off final had finished 2-2 after extra time.
The Magpies found themselves a goal down when Andrew Dallas scored from the spot after a mistake from Sam Slocombe, but levelled late in the second-half when John Bostock saw his free-kick squeeze in at the near post.
Armando Dobra gave the Spireites the lead once more with a sublime finish from the edge of the County area, only for Ruben Rodrigues to bounce the ball over former Notts keeper Ross Fitzsimons to send the game to penalties.
But County boss Luke Williams rolled the dice by taking off Slocombe, who had never saved a penalty for Notts, with Norwich City loanee Archie Mair replacing him - and he saved two spot-kicks before Scott stepped up to send the travelling Notts fans behind the goal into raptures.
Ahead of kick-off, Williams had named an unchanged side from the one that produced a dramatic comeback victory over Boreham Wood in the play-off semi-final last week, with all four of the players who featured in the Magpies' last trip to Wembley in 2020 named in the matchday squad.
But one of those who featured against Harrogate endured a difficult start to the game, Slocombe first giving away an indirect free-kick after taking two touches from a goal-kick - atoning for his early mistake by saving the resulting effort towards goal from Jeff King.
However, the Notts number one was at the centre of attention again minutes later when he brought down Dallas inside the area, with the Spireites striker stepping up and sending Slocombe the wrong way to give the travelling Chesterfield fans at the opposite side of the ground a dream start under the Wembley arch.
Despite their slow start, the Magpies were able to carve out an opportunity through Aaron Nemane - the Frenchman easily beating Mike Jones down the line before his cross found Sam Austin, who was unable to turn the ball towards goal.
Paul Cook's side were finding increasing joy behind a high Notts line, Dallas finding himself clear of Connell Rawlinson but unable to pick out a team-mate inside the County area.
The Magpies would have to repeat their semi-final heroics if they were to end their four-year stay in the National League, and they almost found the perfect response early in the second-half when Jamie Grime's loose pass was intercepted by Nemane, but Austin was unable convert from the edge of the box in front of the Notts supporters.
It took just 10 minutes into the second period for Williams to make his first change of the afternoon when semi-final match-winner Jodi Jones replaced Chicksen - and one of his first involvements was to swing a dangerous free-kick onto the head of Rawlinson, his effort somehow evading the goal at the far post with several team-mates already celebrating.
With the Spireites' defence appearing resolute, hopes of crowning the season with promotion grew slim, but with three minutes to go, up stepped Bostock to cleverly curl in a free-kick at the near post to send the travelling Magpies contingent into delirium as they once again proved their remarkable powers of recovery.
But nothing is ever straightforward with this County team, and three minutes into extra-time they trailed again. Dobra was given the freedom and time to run at Rawlinson - cutting inside and firing a perfectly placed shot into the roof of Slocombe's net to edge Chesterfield ahead once more.
Having barely had a kick throughout the contest, Macaulay Langstaff managed to wriggle himself free from the clutches of the Chesterfield defence for his first real opportunity of the game - his left-footed shot dragged wide of Ross Fitzsimons' net.
But, just like they did six days ago, the Magpies managed to find a way once more. Rodrigues, who had endured a difficult afternoon, stepped up when it mattered most to bounce the ball over Fitzsimons to tie the scores again.
Penalties would decide it, and Mair managed to save both Jeff King and Darren Oldaker's spot-kicks before Bostock tried the elaborate with a chip that hit the crossbar. It meant Scott was given the opportunity to amend for his penalty miss against Wrexham a month ago by sealing a famous victory, and he did so by sending the ball down the middle - and Notts back to the Football League.
Here is how we rated the Magpies this afternoon.
Sam Slocombe - 4
Applied instant unwanted pressure when presenting an indirect free-kick to the Spireites in the opening moments - that nervous start continuing by giving away the penalty minutes later.
Kyle Cameron - 6.5
Kept the dangerous Ryan Colclough very quiet all afternoon, defending very well but unable to offer a threat going forward.
Aden Baldwin - 6
Looked to produce progressive passes out from the back to get Notts up the pitch, but often forced the ball forward which concluded in several mistakes.
Connell Rawlinson - 6
Came within centimetres of levelling the game during the second half while also producing a vital challenge shortly after Bostock's equaliser.
Adam Chicksen - 5
Saw a lot of the ball during the first half, but did very little with it. Replaced by Jones just ten minutes into the second half.
Aaron Nemane - 8
A brilliant attacking display from the Frenchman. When he looks to go and attack has man with his directness and pace, few in the league can live with him.
John Bostock - 8
Looked calm and assured amongst a pressure-filled environment, continuing to control the play and use his experience to try and calm down his team-mates - stepping up at the vital moment to get the game level.
Matty Palmer - 7
Got better as the game went on after a nervous start - controlled the game nicely alongside Bostock and was still full of energy even deep into extra-time.
Ruben Rodrigues - 5
After an uncharacteristically poor performance from a player who you can normally rely on for the big occasions, he stepped up in a pivotal moment to level the game in extra-time.
Sam Austin - 5
Missed a glorious chance early in the second half, firing over from the edge of the area. Replaced by Scott for the final 20 minutes.
Macaulay Langstaff - 5
Was barely given a kick all afternoon - managing only two real chances throughout the encounter, both coming in extra-time. Scored in the shootout.
SUBSTITUTES
Jodi Jones - 6.5
Injected that directness and pace that was lacking from the wide areas. Another good impact from the bench.
Cedwyn Scott - 8
It took huge cojones to step up and take that final penalty. Having seen his penalty saved against Wrexham, stepped up and fired the winning spot-kick to more than make up for that day in April.
Richard Brindley - 6
A late change for Baldwin.
Archie Mair - 10
Wow. A gamble for the penalty shootout but what a risk it turned out to be. Two fantastic saves in the shootout to send Notts County back to the Football League.
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