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.
9. Louie Marsh 6
Louie Marsh 6: Not far wide with two early efforts, smacked the ground in frustration after the second one. The skilful loan man needed to step up and provide a spark in the second half but, for once, he couldn't. Photo: Brian Eyre
10. Joel Randall 6
Joel Randall 6: Nice back heel set Marsh up for a decent early chance. The Bolton Wanderers loan man was starting to find his groove before a hamstring pull cut short his afternoon half-an-hour in. Photo: Tina Jenner
11. Lee Bonis 6
Lee Bonis 6: Can't fault his application. Early header forced a finger-tip save but after that he didn't get much change out of Port Vale's centre-halves. Photo: Brian Eyre
12. Josh Koroma 5
Josh Koroma 5: Got a good hour as a replacement for the injured Joel Randall. A two-goal super-sub against Tranmere, much quieter here. Not alone in running out of attacking ideas. Tom Pearce for Gordon (79) N/A, Liam Mandeville for Stirk (79) N/A, Kiano Dyer for Marsh (80) N/A, Will Grigg for Markanday (84) N/A Photo: Brian Eyre