Chesterfield moved into a play-off slot after a deserved 2-0 win at Carlisle United.
That defeat kept the Cumbrians at the bottom of League Two but at least their two main rivals in distress, Swindon Town and Morecambe both lost as well.
Dilan Markanday had given the Spirites the lead on 25 minutes and they were comfortably the better side in the first half.
But United improved after the break and wasted some good chances to level before Chesterfield grabbed a second and coasted to the finish line.
After Carlisle had produced the first real threat on goal, a good strike from Dominic Sadi which was well saved by Max Thompson it was Chesterfield who dominated.
In the 25th minute a lovely timed flick from Will Grigg put Markanday in on goal and he was able to guide a left-foot shot past Gabe Breeze for the opener.
The Cumbrians began to accumulate chances in the second-half with substitute Georgie Kelly heading a Jon Mellish cross just over the top.
Kelly had another decent chance when he got to a clever cuit-back from Sadi but from close-in he could only fire over the bar.
Carlisle were to rue those misses on 75 minutes when Grigg capitalised on some fine work from Armando Dobra by drilling home the second goal.
United simply must win their next home game on Boxing Day against Morecambe.
