The bottom of the table side started brightly and could have been ahead long before they took the lead, but for top saves from Chasetown goalkeeper John Bateman first to deny Andy Kinsey and then Dave Walker, while Ashley Wooliscroft was inches wide with a curling effort.

Grove eventually took the lead in the 17th minute when Dave Walker was given time and space and lopped an effort over Bateman.
Chasetown were level a minute later when leading goalscorer Nathan Waite turned and hooked the ball beyond the grasp of Joe Hemmings for his tenth goal of the season.

The Scholars ended the half on top and twice Nick Wellecomme was close to giving the home side the lead. First, he stretched to reach a pass and could only divert into the grasp of Hemmings and then he headed straight at the Grove keeper with a difficult chance.

Chasetown were on a four match run of consecutive league defeats so the near Staffordshire rivals thought Craig Harris’ men were there for the taking and started the second half brightly too.

Kidsgrove had the ball in the net for a narrow offside and then deservedly took the lead after Anthony Halbon was sent tumbling and Kinsey sent Bateman the wrong way to jubilant scenes from the visiting supporters.

Scholars’ fans started to drift towards the exits when their side were reduced to ten men when Jermaine Johnson received his second yellow card with six minutes remaining.

But, when it seemed like Chasetown were destined for a fifth consecutive league defeat, Lee Butler’s corner right under the crossbar had Hemmings in all sorts of trouble and he fumbled the ball over the line, with the goal credited to the Scholars substitute.

Danny Griffiths had a chance to fashion out an unlikely winner as the ten men ended the game on top but defender Chris Flynn marshalled the former Walsall man away from the goal and honours were shared.

Chasetown: Bateman, J Johnson, Beckett, Slater, Miles, Downes, Davies, Parsons (Butler, 79 mins), Wellecomme, Waite (Griffiths, 82 mins), Edwards (S Brown, 82 mins)

Other subs: T Evans, Robinson (not used)

Kidsgrove Athletic: Hemmings, J Evans, R Brown, Flynn, Hadrell (W Johnson, 85 mins), Wooliscroft, Davidson, McPherson, Walker (Connor, HT), Kinsey, Halbon

Other subs: Booth, Smith (not used)