Instead, Degerfors are in a relegation play-off spot with six rounds left to play.
We should have scored at least two more goals. But we should be very happy with two goals, says Kalmar defender Lars Sætra to TV4.
Kalmar had failed to score in seven straight Allsvenskan matches before the nervy encounter at Stora Valla.
It took just three minutes for the gloomy streak to end, when Finn Marius Söderbäck scored his first Allsvenskan goal.
Kalmar dominated and extended their lead to 2–0 after 17 minutes when Söderbäck set up Vilmer Tyrén.
However, Degerfors got into the match and pulled one back late in the first half through Nahom Netabay.
Despite several scoring chances for both sides, the match ended 2–1.
- Mjällby, 23 points, 24 games
Remaining matches: Hammarby (home 25/10), Örgryte (away 29/10), Kalmar (home 2/11), Brommapojkarna (away 8/11), Malmö FF (home 21/11), Halmstad (away 29/11).
- Kalmar, 22 points, 24 games
Remaining matches: Brommapojkarna (home 24/10), Gais (home 29/10), Mjällby (away 2/11), Sirius (home 8/11), Örgryte (away 23/11), AIK (home 29/11).
- Degerfors, 20 points, 24 games
Remaining matches: Häcken (away 24/10), Västerås (home 28/10), Djurgården (away 1/11), Gais (home 7/11), AIK (away 21/11), Örgryte (home 29/11).
- Örgryte, 18 points, 24 games
Remaining matches: Djurgården (away 24/10), Mjällby (home 29/10), Elfsborg (away 1/11), Västerås (home 7/11), Kalmar (home 23/11), Degerfors (away 29/11).
- Halmstad, 14 points, 24 games
Remaining matches: Västerås (away 23/10), Malmö FF (home 28/10), Sirius (away 3/11), Djurgården (home 8/11), Brommapojkarna (away 22/11), Mjällby (home 29/11).
Team 14 will enter the qualifying play-off, while teams 15 and 16 will be relegated.