County extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a comprehensive victory at Saltergate.
The Hatters rode their luck at times, particularly in a fifteen-minutes spell in the first half.
But, after the break, they produced an almost perfect away performance that had the Spireites chasing shadows.
McIlroy's men got off to the best possible start with a goal after five minutes - the same moment that Brett Angell's header won promotion to Division One seven years earlier on the same ground.
This time, inevitably, it was Rickie Lambert. His free kick from the right hit the defensive wall and flew past former County 'keeper Carl Muggleton.
The Spireites should have levelled four minutes later. Frenchman Zoa Tcham N'Toya capitalised on a moment's uncertainty between the two Williams', Ashley and Anthony, to nod the ball over the goalkeeper. But, with the goal at his mercy he, incredibly, missed the target.
Williams then atoned for that error with a quite magnificent save from David Reeves. The veteran striker looked certain to score when he hit a blistering half-volley from the edge of the box but Williams somehow managed to touch the ball onto the post.
Ian Evett then came close with a spectacular overhead kick as the home pressure increased.
But County dug in and regained the upper hand before the half-time whistle. John Hardiker set up a chance for Aaron Wilbraham on 36 minutes who was unlucky the see his far-post header well saved by Muggleton.
Within a minute, though, the Hatters struck again. Wilbraham won the ball in the box and unselfishly squared the ball to Daly who made no mistake from 6-yards.
The scenes on the away end were fantastic as the Irishman raced over to celebrate with the magnificent supporters.
The 21-year-old, now beginning to fulfil his awesome potential, was causing the Chesterfield all sorts of problems.
And he was only the width of a post from adding another goal three minutes from the break. His first effort produced a good save from Muggleton and his second, from the rebound, bounced clear off the woodwork.
The Spireites had a little flurry just after the restart. Hardiker made an outstanding block to deny Gareth Davies.
Then Williams made another good save to keep out Mark Debolla's angled drive.
And that was as near as Chesterfield came to staging a recovery as the visitors gained complete control of the game.
And they wrapped things up with a first County goal from Danny Jackman. Hardiker played the ball into the box. Gus Uhlenbeek got there first but seemed to stop playing. Jackman didn't need a second invitation to fire the ball past Muggleton.
Goodwin volleyed wide and Daly saw Muggleton make a brilliant save to turn his shot round the post.
But it didn't matter. The party amongst more than 2,000 vociferous fans had started long before.
County (4-4-2): Williams; Hardiker, Williams A. Clare, Adams; Cartwright, Goodwin, Lambert (Robertson 79), Jackman (Williams C 87); Daly, Wilbraham (Barlow 86).
Unused Subs: Welsh, Spencer.
Yellow Cards: Goodwin 35, Hardiker 45.
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Rochdale 1 - 3 Stockport County 28/10/2006by deeej1,300 views
John Hardiker was superb that day. Nothing got past him.
Must have been christmas as Jon Daly scored...!
county4life 2 years ago
wow chesterfield's defense needs lots of improvement
ZOMGLOLEPICFAIL 2 years ago