Chances were few and far between with both sides very closely matched in a tough and physical encounter, and the Bucks grabbed the lone goal shortly after the break following a moment of confusion.

Despite some expecting the Scholars to appear tired from the outset after Saturday’s heroics, the side did start off well and Ramone Stephens crossed to Danny Smith but as he squared the ball across goal no-one was quite close enough to provide the finishing touch.

Smith was in flying early form and tried to cut past two defenders in the 15th minute to set up Gary Hay but his cross was headed out for a corner. Hay also displayed great pace and the Bucks defence were having a tough time of it in front of goal to contain the Scholars forwards.

Jimmy Turner tried a low long range shot on 24 minutes but keeper Scott Hartley got down to smother the ball and Buxton began to show signs of a breakthrough only to lose Martin Pembleton who was stretchered off with a leg injury on 35 minutes.

Hay found space once again just before half time but Ben Jevons’ cross was halted by the defence, and a tight first half ended goalless.

Buxton were quickest out of the blocks after the break with Neil Stevens’ header cleared for a corner, and they were soon ahead as Chasetown paid for a moment of hesitation when Chris Slater went down after a clash in midfield and Kieran Lugsden rounded Ryan Price to open the scoring just as he had done in November’s return fixture.

The close-run game continued thereafter with some physical midfield play between the two evenly-matched sides, Smith shrugging off several heavy challenges as he tried to find a way through for the Chase.

Josh Wilde went close for the visitors but his header was cleared by Richard Teesdale before Price leapt for a fingertip save from Steve Ridley’s 25-yard strike. Teesdale and Slater worked hard and the Scholars introduced Dean Perrow and Grant Ryan to the attack, but despite forcing a fine save from Hartley in injury time it was not to be and Buxton took the spoils.

Chasetown: Price, Turner, M Branch, Slater, Davies, Teesdale, Stephens (Westwood, 73 mins), Egan,
Hay (Ryan, 67 mins), Smith (Perrow, 80 mins), Jevons

Other Subs: Cohen, Bridgwater (not used)