Southend United 0 - 1 Chesterfield: Lee Novak strikes to earn Chesterfield a win at Southend

Lee Novak's last-minute winner secured Chesterfield a 1-0 victory at Southend.

The striker's cool, late finish sent Danny Wilson's side six points clear of the relegation zone.

And the effort also sent play-off pushing Southend down to 10th.

The Shrimpers, who have triumphed just once in their last six games, wasted a great early chance to score when Ben Coker's left wing cross picked out David Worrall.

However, the recalled winger sent his close-range header against the inside of the right post before firing the rebound straight at Chesterfield goalkeeper Tommy Lee.

The Spireites hit back with Ollie Banks having a curling effort pushed to safety by Bentley before Southend wasted another clear-cut chance to score when Tyrone Barnett headed Jack Payne's left-wing cross straight at Lee.

Southend were also frustrated not to have been awarded a late penalty when substitute David Mooney went to ground while under pressure from Sam Hird.

But Chesterfield made the most of the let-offs right at the death when Banks teed up Novak to fire home with a neatly-controlled finish.