Town looked the more capable of the two teams in the opening spell with both looked likely to score.
Marcel Cas was causing havoc with his pace and wasted two good chances in the opening 20 minutes. Chesterfield's best chance came when Tony Crane's mistimed back pass allowed Mark Hudson to run through on goal. Nick Daws was first back with an excellent tackle to nullify the threat
On 23 minutes Town took the lead which they just deserved. Stuart Campbell fired home from the edge of the area after the strikers failed to make contact. The goal saw Crane and Darren Banard engage in a bout of handbags at ten paces. Their team mates were needed to seperate them before play could resume.
Both Michael Boulding and Graham Hockless both went close for Town before Celab Folan and Aidan Davison collided on the edge of the area. Town's No 1 was straight up but Folan was carried off on a stretcher in an unfortunate scene.
Simon Ford limped off in the final minutes of the half to be replaced by Mike Edwards. The Ford-Crane partnership had looked suspect throughout the game although it has to be assumed it was only injury that brought Ford off the pitch.
As the referee blew for half-time, Gareth Davies flew into an unnecessary lunge on Boulding which left the frontman in a heap before gingerly getting to his feet.
Whilst the first half failed to capture the imagination, the second was much more eventful. With Andy Rushbury replacing Davies at the break, the Derbyshire outfit looked better going forward - but weaker in defence.
That weaknesses was even more exposed on 55 minutes. Stuart Campbell skipped past Gus Uhlenbeek before the Dutchman wrestled him to the ground. A booking was certain but the ex-Bradford man's outburst and push on referee Graham Salisbury earned him the early shower. The foul itself was almost identical to one which got Uhlenbeek dismissed against Town two seasons ago in the Worthington Cup when playing for Sheffield United, again that time it was Stuart Campbell who was brought down.
A minute later and Town made it 2-0. Boulding ran across the box, skipping past three players, but was unable to find an opening. His square ball invited the mightily impressive Graham Hockless. The little man skipped past his man before curling into the corner of the net. Hockless was then booked for celebrating with the crowd, pathetic.
The game was now Town's and inspired by Hockless, Town took full control. Uhlenbeek's dismissal allowed Hockless to play a free role which he revelled in and looked a class above the opposition and his team mates. The attacking quartet of Hockless, Boulding, Onuora and Cas were on fire and nothing was going to stop them.
Memories of glory days came flooding back as Cas linked with the on rushing John McDermott on several occasions. Macca didn't manage to put away any of the chances, just wouldn't be Macca if he did, would it?
It was a saved Macca effort that led to the third on 72 minutes, the corner ball hung in the area before Cas turned and slammed home for the goal his running deserved.
Town's defence, which now looked much more composed with Edwards leading the line, was almost breached late on. Another Crane mistake allowed sub Marvin Robinson in on goal. Somehow the former Derby man fired miles over from 4 yards out.
The fourth goal was on it's way and it came from yet again another Macca chance. 'Keeper Carl Muggleton produced a fine save to keep the rightback scoreless. From the corner though Marcel Cas slammed goalwards only for Mike Edwards't to deflect it leaving Muggleton stranded whilst the ball trickled into the empty net.
Jason Crowe was introduced giving chance for Graham Hockless to get his standing ovation. Soon after Michael Boulding was swapped with the returning Darren Mansaram. Referee Salisbury also had to be replaced as the game came to a close.
Man of the Match: Graham Hockless. The little midfielder was superb throughout, whether on the left wing or in the free role. The Hull born youngster's creativity is a must in Town's team. His deft touch and quick feet are a joy to watch, one is reminded of John Oster by his ability to beat his men with ease before providing an inch perfect pass. By his own admission he may be dropped when Iain Anderson returns, this cannot be allowed to happen.
Grimsby: Davison, McDermott, Crane, Ford, Barnard, Cas, Daws, Campbell, Hockless, Onuora, Boulding. Subs: Edwards, Crowe, Bolder, Mansaram, Nimmo.
Chesterfield: Muggleton, Uhlenbeek, Blatherwick, Payne, Howson, Davies, Allott, Hudson, Brandon, Evatt, Folan. Subs: Dawson, Richmond, Rushbury, Warne, Robinson.