The Spirietes’ final game of 2025 ended in defeat as Cambridge United secured a 1-0 win through Shane McLoughlin’s first-half strike.
Despite the defeat, Chesterfield remain in the play-off places but see their three-game winning streak ended by Cambridge, who are themselves unbeaten in their last nine league games.
Paul Cook named an unchanged side after the impressive 2-0 Boxing Day win against Notts County.
Both sides came into the game in good form, but it was the visitors who started brightest, with Louis Appere and Adam Mayor having early sights of goal.
Chesterfield’s first opportunity came as Zach Hemming’s long clearance fell to Lee Bonis, whose volleyed effort didn’t trouble Jake Eastwood.
Just after the half-hour mark, Chesterfield had a string of chances to take the lead.
First, Liam Mandeville’s pass was almost ricocheted into the Cambridge goal, only to be denied by Jamie Gibbons’ last-ditch clearance.
And from the resulting corner, Bonis saw his strike cannon off the bar, and then Jamie Grimes’ header from point-blank range somehow didn’t end up in the back of the net.
The home side were made to rue these missed opportunities as Cambridge launched a lethal counter-attack to take a 44th-minute lead.
James Brophy slid a delicate pass through to McLoughlin, who lifted his finish over the onrushing Zach Hemming.
Cambridge looked to double their advantage after the break as two dangerous crosses were flashed across the face of the goal.
Again, it was the visitors who came close as Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu failed to connect cleanly with Brophy’s low cross.
The game became increasingly stretched as it headed into the final 15 minutes.
Kyle McFadzean was gifted the space in which to shoot; however, the defender’s effort was watched over the bar by Eastwood.
The visitors had another opportunity in stoppage time as Adam Lewis’ slip gifted the ball to Shayne Lavery, but he couldn’t find a black shirt with his cut back.
Lavery then had a chance of his own, though a combination of Hemming and Janoi Donacien denied him.
Despite a barrage of late crosses into the packed penalty area, Chesterfield were unable to find an equaliser as the referee called time on the game.
Chesterfield: Hemming, Tanton, Grimes (Donacien 57), McFadzean, Gordon (Lewis 30), Naylor, Stirk, Mandeville, Darcy (Dickson 71), Duffy (Berry 57), Bonis (Grigg 57)
Attendance: 8,589
