Chasetown though were almost ahead inside the first minute when Danny Edwards slipped the ball through to Lee Parsons but Chris Martin was quick off his line to smother the danger.

Sports responded well and were awarded a penalty kick when Callum Lloyd was sent tumbling and Referee Law tried to play advantage but ensure the spot kick was awarded. Karl Demidh smashed the penalty towards the top corner only for John Bateman to pull off a phenomenal full stretch save to deny the Sports number 10.

Chasetown’s escape was short-lived as Karl Ashton headed home the resultant corner to give the Derbyshire side the lead.

Chances were coming thick and fast and Nathan Waite headed over a Lee Downes cross for the Scholars, before Simon Brown cleared off the line when Bateman was beaten by Demidh’s effort.

Bateman made a double save to deny Anthony Griffiths and Karl Ashton, before Chasetown forced Martin into his first real challenge when Waite bullied his way past two defenders, got his shot away towards the top corner and Martin clawed the ball wide for a corner.

That aside, there were only two Brown free kicks which threatened the visitors who went in 2-0 up in the final minute of the first half when Ashton steered home his second goal of the game.

Any half-time talk of a comeback from manager Craig Harris was quickly knocked back at the start of the second half as Mickleover added a third goal with barely a minute on the clock at the start of the second period. Chasetown were unable to clear a cross from Griffiths and both Lloyd and Demidh were on hand with Demidh firing home from close range.

That was a knockout blow for the home side which left Sports in total control of the game and looking more likely to add to their tally. Substitute Chris Palmer struck the woodwork with an effort beyond Bateman.

Martin made a stunning save to deny Downes what would have been a mere consolation goal, but Mickleover wrapped a 4-goal winning margin with a neat passing movement into substitute Ashley Grayson who dinked the ball over Bateman as the Chase keeper advanced.

To compound Chasetown’s misery even further, teenage centre back Alex Dallison received his marching orders in the final few minutes, likely for something he said to the official.

Chasetown: John Bateman, Todd Evans, Dexter Ravenhill (Grant Beckett, 64 mins), Chris Slater, Alex Dallison, Lee Downes, Simon Brown (Lee Butler, 71 mins), Lee Parsons (Jack Lees, 71 mins), Danny-J Edwards, Nathan Waite, Richard Davies

Other subs: Theo Robinson, Curtis Pond (not used)

Mickleover Sports: Martin, Bryant, Grocott, Walshe, Wiley, Degirolamo, Dales (Esposito, 71 mins), Lloyd, Ashton (Grayson, 56 mins), Demidh, Griffiths

Other subs: Palmer, Dawkins, Graham (not used)