New signing Andy Taylor began the tie at left-back and trialists Julian Gray and Glen Little were both given a run. Jamie Ward, a former Spireite, had to settle for a place on the bench.
The game began relatively quiet in front of a packed Saltergate, no real goalmouth-action occurred. Just over 20 minutes in though, defender Leigh Bromby, who was playing in the right-back role, sweetly curled the ball into the far corner leaving the keeper with no chance.
Lester and Harsley both had opportunities for Chesterfield but didn't take them, whilst Brian Howard up the other end of the field saw his tidy header touched over by the goalkeeper. Montgomery scuffed wide and just before the interval, Darren Currie, the son of Blades legend Tony, saw his effort saved by veteran Bennett.
Chesterfield made adjustments at the halfway-mark but their opposition opted not to. The start of the latter half also didn't spark up any opportunities, but all areas of the ground rose to welcome Jamie Ward on as a substitute 55 minutes in. Ward of course moved from Chesterfield to Bramall Lane in January.
Ward was involved quickly, he had a forceful drill saved which was destined for the top-corner. Jamie continued to get into the thick of things when he latched on to a Bennett kick and broke into the box, he was felled by Hall. After a little grin, he smartly nestled the ball into the goalkeeper's left-hand corner.
Kyel Reid was introduced and looked lively. Stephen Quinn, also a substitute and Jamie Ward both should have doubled United's lead. Quinn nodded wide whilst free, then Ward sliced wide in a similar direction.
The Spireites pressed but couldn't cut open United's determined back-line, the Blades leave Derbyshire with the a and the third of their pre-season programme. Julian Gray and Glen Little seemed to have played their last game in a Utd shirt before their fate is decided. Kevin Blackwell will take the lads to Bury on Saturday for another tough pre-season encounter against a fourth-tiered-side.