Chasetown had led that game in March by 2-1 but it was Leek, with one eye on securing a home play-off tie that took the initiative in this re-match.

A fairly even opening finally saw Leek break the deadlock in disappointing circumstances for the visitors. John Bateman – the favourite to win Chasetown’s player of the year award – made a rare error, spilling a header back to him, allowing Tim Grice the easiest of tap ins into an empty net.

Grice always seems to have a knack of scoring against Chasetown and he did so again minutes later, winning a header above left back Jon Haynes, which looped about Bateman who scrambled back in vain.

A Chasetown team depleted by injuries at right back, left back, midfield and up front never really got going and they created very little to trouble home keeper James Martin, who was called into action to save a long range effort from Ashley Grayson.

The introduction of centre back Richard Teesdale into a strikers role for his first appearance since 21st April 2014 livened up the crowd as his first touch was a pass out to the wing to get another Chasetown attack going.

But, on a night when Chris Slater reached a milestone of his 500th game in a Scholars shirt, there wasn’t much else for Chasetown to celebrate in this difficult away fixture.

Chasetown: Bateman, Theo Robinson, (Teesdale, 72 mins), Haynes, Slater, Francis, Beckett, S Brown, Grayson, Turton, Griffiths (M Brown, 81 mins), Antonio (Edwards, 57 mins)

Other Subs: Samba, Pond (not used)