The Scholars battled back from two goals down, but a late penalty converted by Danny Smith could not save them from a defeat that left them still on the edge of the promotion places writes Russell Brown.

The home side made two changes from the side that defeated Willenhall in their derby day game at the weekend and with Chasetown trying to cope with a punishing four game schedule over a two week period, manager Charlie Blakemore had to replace the injured Nick Hawkins and Marlon Walters, as John Branch slotted into a midfield line up that also included Mark Briggs for his full debut.

After a slow start Chasetown did have the ball in the net when a clever back heal set up Dean Perrow to slot past Steve Root, but that was ruled out for a marginal offside decision. Leighton responded well and Chasetown’s failure to clear their lines gave Bruce Wilson the opportunity to fire a dangerous drive just wide of the post.

Wilson then provided a ball from the left that gave Leon Cashman a free header in front of goal, but the striker wastefully guided his effort over the bar. That proved to be a warning that the home side failed to learn from and in the 39th minute another ball from the left was helped back into the area and this time Ben Gallant climbed over Neil Aulton to get a touch that crossed the line before Cashman made doubly sure from close range.

Chasetown thought they had equalised two minutes later when Root made a real hash of collecting a corner. The keeper managing to beat down the ball and it bounced into the path of Perrow who hooked the ball home only to be amazed as he was penalised by referee Mr Castle. That was to prove one of two controversial decisions that went against the home side as in the second half Lucan Spittle’s shot was handled in the area, but the official was clearly unsighted as the appeals were waved away.

With Chasetown laying siege to the Red’s goal it was against the run of play when Cashman, who had missed a good opportunity just after the interval, did double the visitors lead with a venomous finish in the 74th minute.

Danny Dubidat came on to give the Scholars a third striker as they chased the game and the home side suffered a blow when top scorer Perrow had to be substituted through injury, Jermaine Gordon replacing him.

Dubidat clearly worried the tiring Leighton defenders with his pace and in the 85th minute his run into the area was thwarted by a push from Sam Chapman and with regular penalty taker Perrow already on the bench, Smith took the responsibly and produced a cool finish from 12 yards to send Root the wrong way.

That provided a grandstand finish to the game and Chasetown could have salvaged a point in the final moments when substitute Andy Penny powered a header towards the top corner of the net only to be denied by a superb one handed save from Root to deny the big defender.

Chasetown: Evans, Aulton, M Branch, Miller, Spittle (Penny), Williams, Steane, J Branch, Smith, Perrow (Gordon), Briggs (Dubidat)

Other Subs: Perry, Woodvine (not used)