The Spireites lost 3-0 at home to Oldham Athletic on Tuesday evening.
First-half goals from Kane Drummond and Mike Fondop saw Chesterfield 2-0 down at the break and Drummond netted again in the second half to cap off a frustrating night at the SMH Group Stadium.
Paul Cook made two changes to the side that ran out 3-2 winners in Saturday’s thrilling contest against fellow play-off hopefuls Notts County, with Will Grigg and Dylan Duffy both awarded starting berths.
It was an even start to the contest with both sides buoyed on by their vocal support in the opening stages.
But with ten minutes played, it was the visitors with the first chance of the game when Drummond’s goal-bound effort was pushed away by Zach Hemming.
Oldham’s positive start paid dividends in the 22nd minute when Drummond scored at the back post.
Chesterfield were undone again in the 31st minute as Oldham made it 2-0.
Mathew Hudson’s long goal kick evaded the Spireites rearguard, and Fondop lifted the ball over the onrushing Hemming.
Fondop again found himself with a sight of goal as he capitalised on Sil Swinkels’ slip, but the striker’s effort was a tame one.
Chesterfield grew into the game as half-time approached with a string of corners and dangerous crosses into the area.
Paul Cook made three changes at the break as the Spireites began to search for a way back into the game.
It was an encouraging start to the second period as James Berry raced down the wing and flashed a cross into the box, though Tom Pett was able to eventually clear.
Armando Dobra then had an effort from the edge of the area that narrowly missed the target.
Oldham responded with pressure of their own as the game ticked over into the final half hour when Drummond miscued his strike in the box.
Oldham made it three in the 74th minute when Oliver Hammond slid the ball across for Drummond to tap home his second of the evening.
Shortly after, Jamie Robson forced a smart save from Hemming, who had to get low to turn away the well-struck volley.
Berry tried to grab a consolation goal in added time with a speculative effort, but Hudson was able to deal with it with relative ease.
Chesterfield: Hemming, Curtis (Owolabi-Belewu 45), Dunkley (McFadzean 45), Swinkels, Duffy (Berry 45), Braybrooke, Naylor, Mandeville, Dobra (Dickson 73), Markanday, Grigg (Bonis 20)
Attendance: 8,148
