A POOR first-half display cost Vale dear as they slipped to defeat against promotion-chasing Chesterfield last night.

Vale produced a lacklustre attacking effort in the first period, which mirrored their short-comings in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Burton.

Defender Aaron Downes set Chesterfield on their way with an early strike, before a deflected effort from loan midfielder Dominic Green doubled their advantage before the break.

Vale rallied at the start of the second half, and loan striker Craig Davies netted his second goal for the club to reduce the deficit.

But they couldn't find an equaliser, and the back-to-back defeats have left Micky Adams's side nine points adrift of the play-offs.

Adams made changes from the Burton defeat, with Lewis Haldane and Sean Rigg returning to the starting line-up at the expense of Rob Taylor and Louis Dodds, who both dropped to the substitutes' bench.

Chesterfield were missing nine-goal striker Jack Lester, who requires a knee operation which is expected to keep him sidelined for up to six weeks.

Vale won the game's first corner on four minutes.

Kris Taylor's delivery from the right bounced off Spireites defender Alan Goodall, but Marc Richards was unable to pounce on the loose ball.

Chesterfield passed the ball with authority and took a 10th-minute lead after Rigg conceded a corner by deflecting Adam Rundle's long-range effort over the bar.

Rundle collected his own cleared corner on the right before twisting and turning past Rigg and Taylor.

His low cut-back was swept on to the post by defender Rob Page, from eight yards, before Downes came steaming in to half-volley the rebound inside the near post.

Vale were struggling to get into their stride and retain possession for prolonged periods.

But Rigg came close to equalising in the 15th minute when his eight-yard header was deflected wide, before Spireites midfielder Mark Allott blazed over from distance.

On 19 minutes Richards drove forward to earn his side a corner.

Tommy Fraser's centre arrived at the feet of Haldane on the right-hand side of the area, and Richards met his excellent floated cross, but could only head wide.

On 26 minutes, Rundle launched a deep cross into the box, but Downes was unable to connect at the right-hand post.

Vale suffered a big blow a minute later when influential defender Gareth Owen hobbled off injured and had to be replaced by John McCombe.

But McCombe was found wanting in the 31st minute when Green out-paced him to double Chesterfield's lead.

Green continued his run to the edge of the box and his low shot appeared to deflect off Adam Yates into the corner of the net.

Vale were enjoying their fair share of possession, but lacked Chesterfield's cutting edge in the attacking third.

However, Fraser showed decisiveness in the 35th minute by side-stepping Ian Breckin down the left.

From a narrow angle, Vale's skipper hesitated for a split second before his shot was saved by Chesterfield keeper Tommy Lee.

Vale continued to press forward, showcasing some decent build-up play, as central midfielder Anthony Griffith fired over from distance.

But Chesterfield midfielders Rundle and Green continued to cause problems as they attacked Vale's exposed back-line.

Another attack through the middle led to Spireites striker Wade Small shooting wide.

The half ended with Taylor having a shot blocked, before Rigg failed to hit the target with another effort from distance. Disapproving boos greeted the half-time whistle as the subdued home crowd vented their frustrations.

Green was straight back into the groove after the restart by once again launching another Chesterfield attack.

But as he closed in on goal, he lost his footing and the chance went begging. Davies breathed life into the hosts when his clinical finish halved the deficit on 51 minutes. Fraser flicked on a Yates throw, and when Chesterfield failed to clear their lines, Davies lashed the loose ball into the bottom left-hand corner from 12 yards.

The goal rejuvenated the crowd's spirits, and they were incensed when Davies appeared to be hauled down just outside the box by substitute Kevin Austin.

On 54 minutes Davies surged past Austin and rifled over the bar before the striker angled a shot straight at Lee.

Vale finally sparked into life with Davies leading the fight-back. Austin, who had only arrived from the bench in first-half injury time, may have been relieved to be hauled off himself just before the hour mark.

Davies then connected with Haldane's superb right-wing cross, only to head wide from the edge of the six-yard box.

Midway through the half, Lee was once again forced into action as he made a spectacular save to deny Davies after spilling Taylor's drive.

Moments later, Davies met Richards' measured volleyed cross, but this time missed the target with a downward header. However the visitors rode the storm as chances started to dry up for the home side.

Adams made a late bid to freshen up his attack with five minutes to go by throwing on Rob Taylor and Dodds for Haldane and Griffith.

Davies fired another shot into Lee's arms soon after, but the visitors hung on to claim the points.