Few would have envisaged the Reds having something to battle for at the right end of the table at the turn of the year when first Sean O'Driscoll and then Alex McLeish were sacked in quick succession.
Billy Davies, however, has performed a minor miracle on his return to the club and Saturday's win at Millwall sets up a huge East Midlands derby between two sides who can still make the play-offs.
To find ourselves in this position with one game to go, I'm proud of the players and the staff and hopefully we can get that three points and sneak into the play-offs," said the Scot after victory in South London.
"It's a fantastic end to the season. Roll on Saturday!"
Jack Lester, meanwhile, scorer of 38 goals during two spells at the City Ground, ended his playing career in style at the weekend when netting twice on his final appearance for Chesterfield.