Chasetown earned manager Charlie Blakemore his 100th league victory in charge of the Scholars writes Russell Brown.

United had lost five of their regular team players since the earlier meeting at Church Street and were forced to name just two substitutes as they faced up to the Scholars, but the team certainly did not look a scratch side as the home side more than played their part in an exciting encounter.

It looked like it was going to be one of those nights for the Scholars as Nick Hawkins shot from the left beat stand in keeper Thornton only for the ball to strike both posts and rebound back into the arms of the reserve team keeper.

Thornton had learned just before kickoff that he was to face up to Chasetown as regular keeper Findley injured his shoulder in the pre match warm up but he was celebrating along with his colleagues in the 35th minute when Woodford’s first shot on goal, a rasping 30 yard rocket that went in off the underside of the bar from Berwick.

The visitors wasted no time in getting back into the game after the interval and it was defender Joe Williams who showed the strikers the way to goal. A short corner was played into the area by Mark Branch and Williams reacted first to stab the ball in on 50 minutes.

With both wing backs, Phil Harris and Branch spreading the United defence, the introduction of striker Danny Smith varied the visitors attacking options and two goals in two minute changed the game.

Dean Perrow got back in the goal scoring grove to give the visitors the lead in the 65th minute as his quick feet gave him the chance to beat Thornton at his near post to register his 16th league goal of the season and in the 67th minute the Scholars increased their lead as Craig Holland headed a free kick over Thornton for a two goal cushion.

United, to their credit, refused to let their heads drop and they could have made it a nervous ending for Chasetown as they pulled one back in the 81st minute. Attempting to shepherd out the ball for a goal kick, the visitors lost possession and when the ball was squared back into the box, Corrigan had the simplest of tasks to tap in from close range.

But the two goal lead was restored three minutes later and it was Williams who celebrated scoring two goals in a game for the first time as he closed down the defender to see his block challenge loop back off his foot to beat Thornton for a fourth time.

Later on there was time for Danny Dubidat who had recently had a brief spell with Willenhall Town, to return to the Blues side as he replaced the hard working Perrow.

That win puts Chasetown firmly back in the play-off chasing pack and that will make Saturday’s visit to second placed Leamington even more important for the Scholars promotion hopes.

Chasetown: Evans, Harris (Aulton), Branch, Spittle, Penny, Williams, Holland, Woodvine, Gordon (Smith), Perrow (Dubidat), Hawkins

Other Subs: Perry, Clamp (not used)