The victory was not enough to realise the Scholars slim play-off hopes as results elsewhere dictated the promotion issues and for the FA Cup heroes their season was finally over writes Russell Brown.

Having lost a crucial league game at the same venue just seven days ago, it was the turn of ground sharing Aylesbury United to welcome a healthy Chasetown following, giving the Meadow the highest crowd of the day as the Scholars faithful returned to Chesham’s home in the hope that their side could pull off just one more miracle in an extraordinary season, but their hopes were dashed as the Ducks took a bizarre 23rd minute lead.

Manager Charlie Blakemore rang the changes to the side that disappointed against the Generals last Saturday and with Phil Harris, Danny Smith, Craig Holland and Todd Perry returning to the side, there was an eagerness to the Blues line up as they attempted to finish with a flourish.

After a tight opening, Nathan Liburd scooped a cross towards goal and with the ball looking like it would drop over the Chasetown goal, it dipped suddenly, catching out Lee Evans. The keeper managed to palm the ball onto the crossbar, but as it dropped Stuart Cattell was there to bundle the ball over the line from a yard out.

Despite enjoying the majority of possession, Chasetown were unable to break the resolute defending of the home side and went into the break trailing to that solitary goal.

The visitors had a more determined look about them after the interval and Ben Steane’s free kick arced through the Ducks’ area to beat everyone including the incoming Joe Williams who just could not stretch his frame to get the vital touch that would have surely brought an equaliser.

But it was Steane’s involvement from a corner that did bring Chasetown the leveller. The midfielder’s kick saw Danny Smith meet the ball at the near post to steer an unstoppable header past Jack Sillitoe.

It was just reward for the striker, who had missed the defeat against Chesham due to academic commitments and Smith was definitely the difference in this performance as his darting runs and ability to take on defenders at pace had Aylesbury in all sorts of problems until he was crudely taken out by Leach late in the game.

Aylesbury were now on the back foot as their visitors pushed forward. The introduction of Nick Hawkins for Harris brought another option for a midfield that were finally finding their rhythm and with Dean Perrow and Smith charging through the channels that were beginning to open up, it was looking good for an exciting finale to this game.

With their tails up Chasetown set about gaining the winner and that deservedly arrived eight minutes from time. A Hawkins ball saw Smith out jump a defender twice his size to guide a header into the path of Perrow. The Scholars top scorer steadied himself, aiming for league goal number 28, but Sillitoe made a superb block to deny the prolific striker. Unfortunately for the keeper, the ball fell for the lurking Craig Holland and he picked out a delightful curling shot from the edge of the area to net the winner via the inside of the post.

With Smith being forced off due to a nasty elbow to the ribs, the striker was cheered off by the appreciative Chasetown supporters and Jermaine Gordon came on for the final exchanges. But it was to be the Scholars day in the sun and although the finish to the campaign will not be the one that the Blues would have wanted, the memories of this amazing season will live long in the hearts of Chasetown and the Blue Army.

Chasetown: Evans, Harris (Hawkins), M Branch, Miller, Perry, Williams, Steane (J Branch), Woodvine, Smith (Gordon), Perrow, Holland

Other Subs: Spittle, Penny (not used)