The Spireites fell to a first defeat in 2026, losing 2-1 at Newport County.
Paul Cook made three changes to the side with Tom Pearce, Freddie Ladapo and Will Grigg replaced Adam Lewis, Will Dickson and Lee Bonis.
Armando Dobra, for the first time since October, and Dilan Markanday, for the first time since the start of December, appeared in the matchday squad.
Ladapo was presented with a golden chance after 12 minutes when James Berry rolled the ball to the back post. The striker’s goalbound effort was diverted out for a corner by the feet of Jordan Wright.
Newport’s first chance of the game fell to Bobby Kamwa, who made his way into the area before curling his shot wide of the mark.
Chesterfield created another good chance to open the scoring just before the hour mark. Berry made his way to the by-line and flashed a low cross into the area, which was fired over the crossbar by Liam Mandeville.
The home side ended the half with a period of possession as they looked to break the deadlock.
A mistake at the back allowed the ball to find Harrison Biggins inside the penalty area, but he found Sil Swinkels in the way to make a huge block.
Michael Spellman then tried his luck from range a few minutes later – an effort that Zach Hemming comfortably saved – but the sides went into the break goalless.
Early into the second period, Hemming had to be on full alert to provide a fingertip save to deny Biggins.
From the resulting corner, Biggins was first to Anthony Glennon’s dangerous cross and bundled the ball into the net from close-range.
The Spireites immediately went in search of a leveller with Wright getting just enough on Berry’s low delivery to stop Ladapo and Grigg from latching on.
However, Newport would double their lead on the 63rd minute. A long ball forward eventually landed at the feet of Spellman, who turned a curled an effort from the edge of the area beyond Hemming.
Dobra, Markanday, Bonis, Dylan Duffy and Tom Naylor were all brought on in attempt to get Chesterfield back into the game.
With five minutes to go, Kyle McFadzean latched onto a corner and saw his header palmed away. The ball rolled out Markanday, who slotted the rebound home.
Bonis looked to be through on goal during the seven minutes of additional time, but a last-stitch challenge from Matt Baker stopped the striker from having a shot on goal and condemn the Blues to defeat.
Chesterfield: Hemming, Curtis, McFadzean ©️, Pearce, Braybrooke, Stirk (Naylor 80), Mandeville (Markanday 75), Berry (Dobra 75), Ladapo (Bonis 66), Grigg (Duffy 75).
Unused Substitutes: Daley-Campbell, Dickson.
