The home side, having already crashed out in the FA Cup seven days earlier, were desperate not to lose valuable prize money for the second time in a week, but despite a fierce onslaught in the closing stages, the Chasetown defence stood firm to progress writes Russell Brown.

With the winner of this tie gaining an automatic place in the second round of the competition due to the expulsion of Scarborough, both sides had real incentive for victory and Chasetown again found the perfect start to the tie.

Chasetown came to the Stan Brown stadium making just one change from the side that defeated Cambridge City in a midweek FA Cup replay with John Branch replacing the injured Paul Spacey in defence.

Kidsgrove had new signing Stuart Heeps in goal, but the first thing that the stand in for regular keeper James Coates had to do was retrieve the ball from the net after just 189 seconds. Ben Steane set up the goal with a superb low cross into the area from the Chasetown right flank and the home defence left the ball to each other as it skidded across the six yard line. That lapse proved to be fatal as Perry homed in unchallenged to side foot the ball in for a simple tap in.

The home side looked strangely lethargic and Chasetown almost added to their woes as an interchange between Lee Parsons and Perry was picked up by Dean Perrow, but his final shot was blocked as the Athletic defence finally woke up to the danger.

The visitors were by this time well in control of the tie and Kidsgrove were further hampered when Anthony Kielty hobbled off injured in the 16th minute. He was replaced by former Telford defender Dave Woodvine.
After successfully defending a free kick, Steane raced away on the right and played the ball inside to Perrow, who tried his luck from distance, but the effort failed to trouble Heeps.

The half ended with a crunching tackle from behind on Perrow that drew angry exchanges from the Chasetown contingent who were still incensed that the perpetrator failed to receive any punishment for the offence.

The second half saw a more determined Kidsgrove take to the field and an error from Lee Evans who misjudged a corner was further compounded by Steane, who in attempting to clear at the far post, only managed to steer the ball into the path of Matt Rhead, but the striker somehow managed to lift the ball over the top of an inviting target to let Chasetown off the hook.

After some hairy moments in the visitor’s area due to some sustained pressure from Athletic, Craig Holland managed to take the attack to the opposite end, but again the final effort was straight at Heeps who collected easily.

With the home side desperately pushing for a replay saving equaliser, Evans pulled off an amazing double save that ultimately saw Chasetown safely through. A corner from the right saw skipper Wayne Brotherton meet the ball with a powerful header at the near post. Evans instinctively thrust out a hand to push the ball onto the post and as it threatened to loop back into the goal from the rebound, somehow clawed the ball away whilst toppling backwards.

That win now sets up Chasetown for their big FA Cup third qualifying round against the conquerors of Kidsgrove in the previous round, Rainworth Miners Welfare. The tie at Church Street on Saturday will kick off at 1pm due to the England Euro qualifying game.

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

Other Subs: Edwards, Twigger, Thompson, S Smith (not used)