The final scoreline does not tell the full story of the game as the Spireites led by two goals going into stoppage time but manager Paul Cook was pleased with the reaction from his players to their 3-0 reverse at Southend United last weekend.
"If we play like that regularly then we will be alright," he told his club's official website.
The two sides met fairly recently when Northampton's tactics in a goalless draw attracted some criticism from Chesterfield assistant manager Leam Richardson.
It was a case of needs must at the time for the Cobblers but the focus has now changed to winning games and scoring goals as caretaker manager Andy King has acknowledged with his loan signings. The postponement of the game at Torquay has given King a further week to work with a reshaped squad, the latest change being the termination of Kevin Amankwaah's contract.
***Update*** As the odds tumble on Oxford United manager Chris Wilder taking over at Sixfields, recently released striker Clive Platt has signed a short-term deal with League Two rivals Bury.