Rugby started brightly and inside the first 5 minutes Kevin Thornton curled a free kick against the underside of the crossbar.

Rugby took the lead in the 32nd minute. Chase keeper John Bateman punched the ball clear but Steve Towers looped the ball back over the head of a retreating Bateman from distance.

Within a minute, Chasetown drew level as Paul Sullivan burst through the Rugby back line and placed a shot low to Sam Andrew’s left.

Rugby were reduced to ten men in the final minute of the first half when Tom James received two yellow cards in quick succession for late fouls.

Nick Turton had a goal disallowed for a foul on keeper Andrew but Chasetown continued to dominate.

Midway through the second half, Chasetown made their territorial advantage count and after 67 minutes, Sullivan made some space for himself and drilled a low shot beyond Andrew.

The home side sealed the points with a right foot strike from James Dance from ten yards out.

Stan Mugisha became the second Chase player to have a goal disallowed after being adjudged to have fouled Andrew before side footing into an empty net.

Chasetown almost added to their goal difference when Henry Eze had his header denied by a point blank Andrew save.
Lincoln face Rugby on Tuesday while Chasetown host Stocksbridge Park Steels. Unless Lincoln get more points in midweek than Chasetown, next Saturday sees Lincoln host Chasetown in effectively a “play off cup final” for the final spot, likely away to Shaw Lane Aquaforce, although the Barnsley side mathematically can still win the league title if Stafford Rangers lose their final game and Shaw Lane win their last two.
Chasetown: Bateman, Williams, Thompson, Slater, Eze, Brown, Mugisha (Robinson, 81 mins), Dance, Turton (Adaggio, 61 mins), Sullivan (Hemagou, 86 mins), Edwards
Other subs: Washbourne, Pond (not used)