Chesterfield will spend Christmas just one place outside the National League relegation zone after losing 3-1 to league leaders Leyton Orient at the Breyer Group Stadium.
Josh Koroma gave the O's an early lead before Alex Kiwomya's equaliser meant the teams went in at half time level.
However, goals from Marvin Ekpiteta and Macualey Bonne secured Leyton Orient top spot in the National League for Christmas.
The Spireites provided the first scare of the game. Sam Muggelton's whipped cross was inches away from being poked home by Tom Denton.
However, Orient took the lead with their first real attack of the game. Koroma raced past Haydn Hollis before cutting-in and firing a low shot past Callum Burton in the 9th minute.
The home side continued to threaten the Spireites goal and almost grabbed a second when James Brophy played in the overlapping Sam Ling, who pulled his shot just wide of the goal.
Chesterfield looked to try and get back into the game and had their first shot of the game through Kiwomya, but the winger's shot didn't trouble Dean Brill.
On the half hour mark, Muggleton's teasing corner caused trouble in the Leyton Orient and the ball fell to a prone Levi Amantchi, but the young forward couldn't bundle the ball into the back of the net.
Five minutes later, the visitors levelled the scores. Lee Shaw's cross from the right hand side was brilliantly headed home by Kiwomya for his fourth goal in three games.
After a pulsating first half, the second period also exploded into life. The hosts had the first chance with Bonne bearing down on goal before his effort was parried out by Burton; Koroma followed up and beat the 'keeper, but not Hollis, who turned the ball away from goal.
Straight away at the other end, the Blues thought they had taken the lead. Alfie Beeston's corner was headed goalwards by Denton, but Brill somehow kept the ball out of the net and despite claims from fans and the players, the referee did not indicate for a goal.
In the 62nd minute, the O's regained the lead through Ekpiteta. Jobi McAnuff made his way into the box before providing a low cross for the defender to tap home from close range.
With five minutes of the 90 to go, Orient wrapped the game up with a penalty. Joe Rowley bundled Brophy over in the box before Bonne grabbed his 18th of the season from the spot.
The result ends Chesterfield's 10-game unbeaten run in the league and also sees the Spireites one place and two points above Dover Athletic in 21st. Solihull Moors visit the Proact Stadium on Boxing Day as the festive season continues.
Post-Match Verdict: No massive difference
Martin Allen was proud of his players performance despite the loss, saying that his team gave a "good account" against the league leaders.
"I thought they started really well. We found it very difficult to cope in the first ten minutes, which we probably expected coming to the team at the top of the league.
"We were more than a match for them. There certainly wasn't a massive gulf between the two teams." the Spireites manager said.
Chesterfield struggled with injuries as Bradley Barry and Jordan Hallam didn't feature following knocks picked up during the week.
Sam Muggleton provided some good deliveries that were begging for a touch, but was also left for dead at times in defence. It was harsh for him to be taken off at half time.
The one huge worrying point was the fact that Alex Kiwomya was forced off with a hamstring injury that will keep him out for a few games.
Allen said: "We’ll have to find out now how bad his hamstring is. We'll probably lose him now, which is going to be a blow that we’ll have to deal with."
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