Chesterfield's play-off semi-final got off to a disappointing start as they lost 2-0 to Walsall at home. The visitors took the lead when Taylor Allen coolly slotted home from the penalty spot after Liam Mandeville had taken out Liam Gordon. Walsall made it 2-0 before the break when Alfie Chang drilled home a fierce low shot from the edge of the area. Chesterfield had claimed a league-high 28 points in their final 13 matches to snatch seventh place ahead of Salford City on the final day of the season last week. But they couldn't carry that form into the play-off semi-final, with Walsall's win giving them a significant advantage going into the second leg. Chesterfield assistant manager Danny Webb said his team didn't play their style well enough, and they will need to improve if they are to turn the tie around. Walsall boss Mat Sadler was pleased with his team's performance, but knows there is still a lot of work to be done. The second leg will take place at the Bescot Stadium on Friday, with Chesterfield needing to come from behind to progress. Tom Naylor and Aribim Pepple forced saves from Tommy Simkin in the Walsall goal, but it wasn't enough to get Chesterfield back into the game. The home side began on the front foot, but Walsall's goals rocked them and they struggled to recover. Paul Cook's men will need to regroup and come up with a new plan if they are to overcome the deficit and reach the play-off final. The result means that of the five play-off first legs played so far, not one has been won by the home side, making Chesterfield's task even tougher. And with Walsall's fans confident of progressing, Chesterfield will need to silence them if they are to turn the tie around.