Goals in each half from ex-Spireites midfielder Kevan Hurst and James Spencer secured the visitors' first away victory since early January.
McIlroy said: "It's fantastic, the boys were magnificent and it was a thoroughly deserved result. Now we've just got to kick on from here. If this doesn't give us a boost I don't know what will.
"I just thought I would freshen it up and it's worked a treat. Sometimes you make decisions and they don't work but the front two worked tirelessly and they set the standard right throughout the team.
"I can't fault any of the players, from one to 11 they were magnificent. A clean sheet does everyone the world of good, especially coming to the top of the table and I'm so pleased for my boys.
"We should take heart from a performance like this and I will be very disappointed if we don't because this was one of our stiffest tasks of late and we are going home with three points so it's a great boost."
Source: PA
Source: PA