The early the promise followed by the injury to Joel Randall, the gift of a goal to Cuban veteran Onel Hernandez and then the slide into mediocrity in the second half made for a poor afternoon in Staffordshire.
The fact that Vale, like Crawley before them, are a team with limited attacking weapons only added to the feeling of an opportunity missed.
The four points lets slip in those two matches mean Chesterfield are a (still creditable) seventh instead of fourth.
A Tuesday game is needed and the Spireites will get it when Colchester United roll into town.
In the meantime here’s our ratings from Saturday.
5. Lewis Gordon 6
Lewis Gordon 6: No stand-out moments from the left-back, no bloopers either. Diligent enough in his defensive work. Photo: Brian Eyre
6. Ryan Stirk 7
Ryan Stirk 7: As industrious as ever in midfield and his early effort brought the best save of the day from the Vale keeper. One of the best of an average bunch on the day. Photo: Getty Images
7. George McEachran 6
George McEachran 6: As busy as ever alongside Ryan Stirk although not at quite at the levels of late. A Vale raider got past him in midfield in the build-up to the winning goal. Photo: Brian Eyre
8. Dilan Markanday 6
Dilan Markanday 6: Had his moments, particularly when the passes were sticking in the early exchanges. Along with a few other of the flair players, just couldn't get going in the second half. Photo: Brian Eyre