Coventry City are five points behind Chesterfield at the bottom of the table.
The Spirited travelled to Walsall, and went down to a 1-0 defeat with Laird getting the only goal of the game in the 53rd minute.
Leaders Sheffield United won 3-2 at Oxford with third placed Scunthorpe United losing 2-1 at Chalton for whom former City loanee Jonnie Jackson scored.