The Spireites went down to a 3-1 defeat at Walsall.
An eighth minute goal from captain Jamie Grimes ensured the Spireites led at the interval after looking the more adventurous side in the first period.
Walsall came out for the second period and dominated from the off. Two quick goals, both from corners, put the Saddlers ahead by the 55th minute.
Chesterfield stepped up a gear and had plenty of possession without seriously looking like levelling. Ten minutes were added at the end and Walsall coasted home even adding salt into the wound with a 102nd minute third from ex-Spireite Levi Amantchi.
Walsall’s promotion train ended back on track whereas the Spireites will be disappointed that they couldn’t capitalise on a strong first half and resume where they left off.
Walsall looked a different side after the break and showed exactly how to get the ball forward quickly, hurt the opposition and then protect the lead with ease.
Paul Cook chose to start with same XI that began the Doncaster Rovers fixture; Janoi Donacien had recovered sufficiently to claim a place on the bench.
There had been heavy rain overnight and pre-match the pitch was looking tired with several bare patches and had required aeration works to create a match surface.
Another superb away following, that filled the entire end behind one goal, greeted the Spireites onto the pitch; Chesterfield chose to defend that end in the first half.
It was a cagey opening spell with the home side gaining the first corner on the right in the fifth minute; a foul was given and Chesterfield took the initiative.
They quickly won their first corner and made it count. Jack Sparkes took the kick and found Dylan Duffy who floated over the perfect ball to the far post for Grimes to loop a header overkeeper Tommy Simkin.
A good understanding is being developed between Sparkes and Duffy on the left with Pepple looking eager to receive from either flank.
Armando Dobra ran well into the area but Liam Gordon was alert enough to “kick to touch” to avert the danger.
Michael Olakigbe, on the right, was proving to be a real handful with his pace hard to deal with, after one such run the ball ran to Pepple, who hit low from the edge of the area. Simkin claimed cleanly on the line.
Great play on the right suddenly switched to the left and Duffy’s good ball in saw Pepple connect but Simkin took the ball from his feet.
In the 30th minute Walsall broke and Jamie Jellis ran into the area and saw his first time effort fly wide of Max Thompson’s right upright.
Harry Williams picked up a yellow card for his clumsy challenge on Pepple that ended his promising run
Walsall lost the ball in the Chesterfield area and a neat pass found Olakigbe wide right, his strong run and great diagonal ball found Duffy who just couldn’t capitalise on the opening as Harry Williams put in a superb block.
In the same move, referee Sunny Singh Gill injured himself and had to be replaced by the fourth official Karl Buckley – a successful appeal was made to the crowd for a qualified official to take over from Buckley.
Eventually play resumed with a corner on the left to the Spireites but nothing was created nor in the entire eight minutes that was added to cover the change of official.
A very positive first half performance saw the Spireites deservedly lead at the interval after a strong offensive display but also a solid defensive performance that restricted the home side to half-chances only.
Walsall were forced into an early change in the second period after the impressive Williams picked up a knock and was unable to continue; he was replaced by Oisin McEntee
The Spireites were forced to concede a corner on the right; Taylor Allen took the kick, David Okagbue got a touch and the home captain Jamille Matt was in the right place to turn the ball home from close range.
The Saddlers had their tales up and looked a yard faster than the first half; that new found confidence will have helped when their next corner arrived. Allen again the taker, this time Ellis Harrison headed powerfully home.
It looked like it could get worse as a diagonal ball set Gordon free on the left; his strong run was only ended when Olakigbe read the situation well and got back to block.
The Spireites were slowly inching their way back into game and went agonisingly close after 68 minutes after Sparkes ran well and put a strong ball into the middle, sadly Pepple just failed to connect.
With 15 minutes minutes left, Walsall made a triple change with ex-Spireite Amantchi entering play. Paul Cook followed with a double swap: Paddy Madden replaced Pepple and Ryan Colclough took over from Duffy.
The Spireites continued to threaten with Olakigbe a constant threat and Ryan Colclough also posing problems for the home defence.
More changes followed as Ollie Banks and Jenson Metcalfe joined the action and with just over a minute remaining Liam Mandeville took over from Olakigbe.
Ten minutes added time was awarded but Walsall looked livelier forcing three corners in quick succession and subsequently comfortably seeing out the added time.
They added a third at the death after the Spireites cheaply lost possession on the right, the ball broke and Amantchi was there to touch home.
Chesterfield: Thompson, Sheckleford, Naylor (Metcalfe 84), Grimes ©, Oldaker (Banks 84), Williams, Dobra, Duffy (Colclough 76), Sparkes, Pepple (Madden 76), Olakigbe (Mandeville 89)
Unused substitutes: Boot, Donacien
Attendance: 6,840 including 1,648 Chesterfield supporters
