Charlie Blakemore’s side are propeleld into the third qualifying round of the FA Cup sparking off scenes reminiscent of their historic cup run of two seasons ago. After gaining a very creditable draw at the City Ground on Saturday, the Scholars went one better at Church Street, ousting their higher league rated opponents in front of an ecstatic 400 plus crowd to earn a home tie against Rainworth Miners Welfare writes Russell Brown.

Cambridge showed three changes from the side that were fortunate to grab a replay on Saturday with former Norwich City academy keeper Shane Herbert drafted in along with Lee Roach, a pacy midfielder who played 44 times for the Barnet senior side and defender Adam Everitt as the Lilywhites manager Gary Roberts acknowledged

With Chasetown retaining the side that came so close to a cup upset three days earlier it was the home side that started the brightest and Everitt found himself facing an early yellow card as the defender cynically pulled back Paul Spacey as the attacking right back surged past the former Luton Town defender. From Mark Branch’s free kick City managed to clear their lines to prevent a repeat of Chasetown’s early goal in the first tie.

With both sides obviously now more familiar with each other’s styles of play, the game developed into a tight affair. The ever dangerous Michael Gash, a 20 year old former Peterborough academy star, nipped in at the near post to get in a stooping header to a City corner to go close for the visitors and some rare hesitation in the Scholars defensive ranks almost allowed Roache to profit from space to hit a drive, but the midfielder’s aim was off as the ball flew harmlessly wide.

The best chance of the half saw Dean Perrow squeeze the ball through to the ever adventurous Spacey and the defender’s looping effort beat Herbert but cannoned of the angle of the woodwork.

It was still nip and tuck after the break with Herbert just getting in front of Kyle Perry to make a saving punch as Spacey’s cross was heading for the big striker, then Ben Steane tried a long range shot, but his drive was not accurate enough to trouble Herbert.

The goal that brought the Church Street crowd alive came in the 62nd minute. A foul on the Chasetown right gave the home side the chance to push bodies into the area, but Mark Branch instead opted for a more direct route, curling in the set piece with precision to leave Herbert rooted to the spot and the ball nestling in the back of the Cambridge net.

It was no more than the underdogs deserved and sparked the visitors into increasing their workload resulting in Chasetown facing a change in formation as Roberts brought on the pacy Ashley Fuller to add to their attacking options.

Once again, the strength of the Chasetown defence came under scrutiny, but lead superbly by Saturday’s goal hero and captain Lee Parsons, the Blues held firm until seven minutes from time. A clearance from Herbert dropped at the feet of Gash and he set off on a powerful run that should have been halted in the early stages. However he was allowed too much time on the ball and punished the visitor by striking a low shot from the edge of the area and across Lee Evans to grab a dramatic equaliser and sent the tie into extra time.

With both sides having given their all the extra period was tighter than the previous ninety minutes, but Chasetown were kept in the game by a superb penalty area tackle from the highly rated Chris Slater as the defender timed his interception to perfection to snub out the very real threat of Gash scoring a second goal.

With both teams five minutes away from a penalty shootout lottery, Chasetown gained a corner. Branch stepped up to deliver towards the far post and central defender Joe Williams sent the home crowd wild as the big number 6 thrust out a leg to stab the ball in and grab a dramatic late winner. There was no way back for Cambridge after that and the final whistle brought unbridled joy from Blakemore and his backroom staff as they celebrated another chapter of Chasetown’s remarkable season.

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

Other Subs: Twigger, Thompson (not used)