The Southern League Division One Midlands league leaders had travelled to the City ground as outsiders, but a dream start with a goal from captain Lee Parsons in the opening three minutes, was followed by two disallowed goals and a host of chances for the Scholars as they showed their thirst for more FA Cup glory had not diminished.

Cambridge, two leagues higher than their Midlands visitors, were stunned as Chasetown flew at them from the start and Paul Spacey’s cross in from the right towards Dean Perrow saw defender Lee Chaffey just get a vital touch to take ball away from the striker, but the striker readjusted to get in a shot from a narrow angle that home keeper Martin Davies collected at his near post.

There was just a little over two and a half minutes on the clock when Kyle Perry shielded the ball before releasing it into the path of Parsons who produced an instant low drive to completely catch out Davies to beat him at his right hand post. It was just the start the Scholars had hoped for and that spurred them into further pressuring their shocked opponents.

A City attack saw Joe Bruce over hit an attempted cross and keeper Lee Evans quick throw out set up the visitors for the counter and Perrow anticipated the diagonal ball that left him racing in on goal. As Davies advanced to meet the striker, it appeared that the keeper had failed to gather cleanly and Perrow seized on the fumble to slot the loose ball into the net. However, the referee ruled out the strike, apparently for a foul on the fortunate keeper.

Perry shrugged off the attentions of Bruce, who had lost the ball on the left and as his cross came into the box, Perrow had to improvise to reach the ball, managing to stick out his knee to send the ball looping just over the crossbar.

The Lillywhites first real threat was from a corner and Captain Glen Fuff came close with a thumping header that flew inches wide of the target as the hosts began to finally get into the game. Top scorer Michael Gash was proving to be a handful for the Chasetown defence and the striker got in the first effort on target for City, but his fierce shot was straight at Evans.

The home side then gained a free kick just outside the Chasetown area and once again Gash came close, this time firing just over from the set piece. Chasetown had the ball in the net once again as Perry steamed on to a Ben Steane pass, but the burly striker saw the assistants raised flag rule out his strike. Perrow should have added a second for the visitors as he was left in acres of space in front of goal, but somehow turned the ball wide of the goal with Davies stranded. Just before the interval, Cambridge could have levelled when Steve Wales surged past the defence and only a fine block from Evans held the lead intact at the break. But a minute after the interval Cambridge did equalise. Wales was again involved as his cross into the area was headed out by Joe Williams but the ball fell into the path of Josh Simpson and he lashed a low shot back across Evans and into the bottom corner of the net.

It was a cruel blow for the Blues, but they rallied and Mark Branch drove just over the bar, before Perry came even closer with a free kick that had to be tipped over the bar by an alert Davies. From the corner, the keeper failed to gather the ball and although it dropped dangerously in the six yard box, Chasetown just could not capitalise on the keeper’s error.

Once again, Davies was stranded as Perrow flicked a cross goal wards, but agonisingly the ball bobbled just wide of the far post.
Right at the end Wales could have stolen the tie after a rare break from Cambridge had threatened to undo all the good work from the Scholars, but Evans was on hand to smother the chance and ensure that Cambridge would be making the midweek trek up the A14 for a Tuesday night replay at Church Street

Chasetown: Evans, Spacey, M Branch, Slater, Thomas, Williams, Steane, Parsons, Perry (Edwards), Perrow (Smith), Holland (J Branch)

Other Subs: Twigger, Thompson (not used)