Facing up to a defensive Rocester line up, the pattern for the majority of the game saw the Scholars try to break down a solid five man Romans defence whilst avoiding being caught on the counter attack. But the game opened out after Perry’s first goal in the blue of Chasetown and in a frantic finish, Rocester threw everything at their visitors only to finally run out of time writes Russell Brown.

In the early stages, Chasetown almost caught out their opponents with a short corner as Paul Spacey whipped the ball across the six yard line and only some desperate defending kept out the lurking Scholars strikers.

Rocester countered with a ball in from Dan Smith that was aimed for the tall figure of Ashley Sheridan, but the Romans striker was well marshalled in the box and in the end, Sheridan could only manage a tame header that keeper Lee Evans collected easily.

Mark Ruddock showed good awareness to snuff out the threat from top goal scorer Dean Perrow after the Chasetown forward had tried to muscle onto a through ball from Spacey, but from Ben Steane’s corner it was Spacey who came close to giving the visitors the lead as his clever chip from the half cleared set piece clipped the top of the Romans crossbar.

Joe Williams, who was easily mopping up the rare excursions into the Chasetown half, tried his luck with a long range shot that was on target and Dean Latham in the Rocester goal needed a second attempt to gather in the effort low at his feet.

A good flick on from Perry almost set up Perrow who quickly span into a shot; however Latham was well positioned to make an easy save. Perry then did well to hold the ball up for Mark Branch and his precise ball into the area saw Perrow slip away from his marker only to guide the ball over the target.

Another patience build up from Chasetown was finished off with a crisp shot from Spacey, but once again the Romans keeper was in the right place to smother the effort.

The game continued after the break on the same theme. Chasetown looking to break down the home side and Rocester being forced to defend furiously. Perrow almost found a way through when his shot on the turn left Latham flat footed on his line, but the ball bobbled away from the far post.

The breakthrough came from a Steane corner. His well flighted ball held up just enough for Perry to thunder onto and the former Willenhall Town centre forward made no mistake with a thumping header into the centre of the goal to wreak Rocester’s plans.

With the Romans forced to abandon their defensive stance, the game opened up and that seemed to suit Chasetown. Branch was moving more freely on the Scholars right and his ball in was inches away from the boot of Perrow. The introduction of forwards Adam McMahon and Mark Orpe from the bench enabled the home side to play three up front and it was substitute Orpe who had the best chance racing onto a through ball and only the legs of Evans kept the visitors slender lead intact.

In a frantic finish, the Midland Alliance side tried desperately to gain a Tuesday night replay, but Chasetown held up well under the barrage and it is Charlie Blakemore’s side that look forward to today’s draw for the second qualifying round before they turn their attentions back to league matters with the visit of Aylesbury United on Saturday.

Chasetown: Evans, Spacey, Branch, Slater, Thomas, Williams, Steane, Parsons, Perry, Perrow, Holland

Subs: McMahon, D Smith, S Smith, Twigger, Peel (not used)