Kris Commons scored a superb goal to steer City to a hard-working and deserved win over in-form United at Chesterfield's Saltergate Stadium.

The midfielder unleashed a tremendous shot to beat Alan Fettis after 18 minutes.

City dominated the first-half and could have had the game wrapped up by the break, but United - defending a six-match unbeaten run - had their moments in the second-half and it needed a fine late save from Ben Foster on his return from injury to clinch all three points.

Daniel Hughes could have put City ahead in the opening minute but fired over.

Commons, though, made no mistake when he picked the ball up midway inside the United half and strode forward before driving his left-foot shot beyond Fettis and into the far corner of the net.

Chris Iwelumo fired agaist the inside of the post, saw another shot bounce over the crossbar, and Laurence Hall had an effort blocked as the Potters pressed.

Jay Denny curled a shot over after the break and Commons went close to adding a second but fired too high from ten yards.

United sensed a draw late on and applied the pressure but the City defence held firm and when it was breached in the final minutes Foster, playing his first game since injuring knee ligaments last summer, was equal to Steve Jagielka's close range shot and produced a brilliant save.

Clint Hill also returned to action after his recent ankle injury lay-off and produced a steady 45 minutes before being replaced.

City: Foster, Swift, Hughes, Hill (Teague 45), Owen, Dickinson, Denny, Hutchinson, Iwelumo, Hall, Commons. Subs (not used): Palmer, Sanna, Smith.