Chesterfield have one foot in the Third Division after slipping to a 2-0 defeat against Oldham at Boundary Park.
The Latics have lost only once in 11 games under new boss Brian Talbot, but Chesterfield now need to win their final game of the season to have any chances of avoiding the drop.
John Eyre settled the clash with two goals in the second half but Spireites boss Roy McFarland refused to throw in the towel.
He said: "We will have a look at what went wrong in this game and then try to put it right and give it everything next week.
"It will be all about taking our chances but the fans have a part to play as well and they were great today.
"Everyone thought it would go right to the wire and that is just what has happened. I am confident we can take the three points, and then we will have to hope other things work in our favour." Chesterfield came under early pressure but keeper Carl Muggleton made a good save from midfielder Mark Bonner on the quarter hour.
Eyre and Dean Holden also had chances before the visitors wasted a clear chance to go in front after half-time.
Glynn Hurst had a clear run at Oldham's Aussie goalkeeper Leslie Pogliacomi but pulled his shot wide from the edge of the box.
Oldham scored within three minutes as Eyre burst into the box and had his shot saved by Muggleton who was unfortunate when the ball deflected back past him as he lay on the ground.
Chesterfield could have equalised but their finishing let them down as Pogliacomi saved from Mark Hudson and David Reeves missed from the rebound.
Oldham sealed victory with nine minutes left as Eyre reached a Paul Murray pass and blasted his second goal in off the near post.
Latics manager Brian Talbot beamed: "It's a relief that we are out of danger but the lads deserve it after putting in so much hard work."