Making it to the play-offs in the EFL usually brings about feelings of happiness and anticipation but for Walsall, it will be seen as anticlimactic.
The Saddlers had previously enjoyed a 12-point lead at the top of League Two, racing towards promotion in the first part of the season.
However, after loanee and top scorer Nathan Lowe returned to his parent club Stoke in January, Walsall's form plummeted and they went 13 league matches without a win before the final day of the season.
There was a glimmer of hope as they defeated Crewe on the last day of the season, positioning themselves close to securing a top-three finish.
Yet, Bradford City had different plans, scoring a late goal in the 96th minute to win their final match against Fleetwood and surpass Walsall in the automatic promotion spots.
Now Walsall must navigate the play-offs in order to have a shot at promotion from League Two, with a challenging first leg against Chesterfield on the horizon.
Team news
Chesterfield may be without Ollie Banks, but Armando Dobra, their player of the season, has returned to training following a groin injury and could play. Jack Sparkes is also a potential inclusion.
Walsall have no fresh injury concerns and are set to welcome back Connor Barrett, who was suspended for the last game against Crewe.
The stats
Prior to their victory over Crewe on the final day of the League Two season, Walsall had gone 13 league matches without a win.
Meanwhile, Chesterfield ended the season on a strong note, going unbeaten in their last six matches and winning their final two games against Morecambe and Accrington.
They have proven tough to beat at the SMH Group Stadium, boasting the sixth-best home record in the division and only losing three out of 23 league matches there.
Prediction
This match is difficult to predict, but Chesterfield appear to be the favored side in the first leg at the SMH Group Stadium.
Walsall managed a narrow 1-0 win at Crewe on the final day, but their morale might be low after the late defeat to Bradford.
Squandering a 12-point lead will have likely taken a toll mentally, not setting them up well for the play-offs.
The absence of Nathan Lowe, who was called back by Stoke, in January was a big blow and they have struggled to score consistently since, netting more than once in only three of their last nine matches.
On the other hand, Chesterfield will be buoyed by securing a play-off spot, finished the season with a good run of form, and should be under less pressure compared to Walsall, who were expected to secure promotion.
With a strong recent record and the potential return of key player Dobra, Chesterfield look solid to take the lead in this tie.