Niven returned to the Chesterfield setup in March 2009 after recovering from a year-long stint suffering with testicular cancer. His return was pronounced with a wonder goal against Grimsby Town on 11 March. In May 2010, Niven struck the decisive goal in a 2–1 victory against AFC Bournemouth at Saltergate, Chesterfield's final game at the stadium before relocation. As Chesterfield's longest serving player at the time, his dramatic volley deep into injury time also ensured that he would be the last player to score at Saltergate after 139 years of football at the ground. This dramatic ending to the 139 years of history was celebrated with an immediate pitch invasion from the home crowd.