Much of the game progressed at a fairly slow pace, not helped by the weather conditions in the second half, and the Scholars struggled to break through and create chances until the closing stages despite a lively start.

New signing Grant Ryan made his first start for the Scholars and soon found their first chance after some tough play down the right but struck tamely and home keeper Stephen Jackson was able to palm his shot away. Dave Egan then found the net in the third minute but the whistle had gone for a handball by skipper Richard Teesdale.

Birch then went close from a tight angle out on the right as the Scholars continued to pepper the home defence in the opening minutes, Ryan firing wide across goal in the ninth minute.

The hosts had their first chance in the 15th minute when Shaun Griffiths fired across the face of goal following a Gavin Saunders free kick out on the left, before the action moved back to the opposite end with Jackson tipping Craig Holland’s effort round the post for a corner which was headed off the line by Jamie Hawkins.

Rory Curtis was next to go close for the Lockmen as they began to fight back following a slow start, but Chasetown were still able to cancel out their efforts as a cloudburst ended the half.

Conditions were still far from favourable as the second half got underway, but the rain failed to dampen the Scholars’ spirits although Jamall Pinnock did his best on 55 minutes, his shot rattling the boards near the players’ tunnel as it flew wide.

Thereafter the action swung from end to end but neither side was able to create a clear-cut finish, with Curtis having the best chance on the hour mark for the Lockmen. Moments later former Scholar Todd Perry produced a well-placed header in front of goal but Martin Taylor was in the right place to gather.

This seemed to spur Willenhall on with some fast pace displayed down the right despite the slippery conditions and Chris Slater did well to break up another attack on 66 minutes. Curtis then fired wide once again, and the visitors appeared to be struggling to keep up the pace.

More attacks rained in from the Lockmen as the minutes ticked down, with Slater and Taylor kept busy at the back. Lee Chilton was next to go close as he headed over the bar with seven minutes on the clock, and still no side could find the finishing touch and extra time was the order of the day.

The first period saw little action, but the atmosphere suddenly livened as Chasetown were awarded a penalty on 108 minutes after Birch was bundled to the floor while trying to beat two defenders, and BIRCH fired the ball high into the top corner to put the Scholars ahead.

Willenhall came close to an equaliser six minutes later as Curtis sent in a well-placed cross, but somehow Teesdale was able to head inches over the bar and the resultant corner bounced off the woodwork. A last minute free kick followed by a corner came to nought for the Lockmen, and Chasetown progressed to the next round.

Willenhall: Jackson, Roofe, Tasker, Perry, Griffiths, Eagles, Hawkins, Saunders (c), Curtis, Pinnock, Chilton. Subs: Nicholls (Hawkins 52), Green, Boswell (Saunders 100), E Ryan (Tasker 105), Kler (GK).

Chasetown: Taylor, J Branch, Milligan, Slater, Thomas, Teesdale (c), Holland, Bragoli, Birch, G Ryan, Egan. Subs: M Branch (Milligan 43), Greenway (Egan 105), Horton, Harris (G Ryan 67), Woodvine.

Referee: Mr E Smart

Attendance: 157