Buxton had the first chance of a cold night in the second minute when a high ball found Kieran Lugsden in space on the right but his right-footed shot flew over Chase debutant Darren Acton’s crossbar.

Jack Farmer and Ramone Stephens were displaying some rapid pace down the right, while Gary Hay was positioning himself well at the front but was stifled by the organised Bucks defence.

Mark Reed tried for an overhead kick from a cross on 16 minutes but failed to get a fluorescent boot to the ball, the forward flagged offside while in front of goal two minutes later. Buxton were picking up the pace as the half progressed, but the first chance for the Scholars came in the 20th minute with debutant Richard Davies shooting wide.

Skipper Gregg Anderson was next to go close for the Bucks, shooting over Acton’s bar from ten yards while Chasetown fans were left wondering how Egan failed to hit the target after Hay’s shot from a Stephens cross was blocked, the midfielder scooping the rebound over the bar.

Hay was left similarly stunned on the half hour when Scott Hartley dived to his right to scramble the ball off his line after the Buxton keeper looked beaten, the Scholars continuing to force cracks in the Bucks defensive line.

It was the home side who took the lead on 32 minutes, however, when Lugsden produced a smooth chip around Acton in a one-on-one situation and calmly sent the ball into the empty net.

Chasetown soon sought for a fight back, Egan’s shot saved by Hartley in the closing minutes, and an entertaining first half closed with the hosts enjoying a narrow advantage.

The second half started in similar fashion with both sides pushing hard, Bucks appearing to enjoy the better of the play but unable to create clear-cut chances.

The Branch brothers both had chances from free kicks, John’s attempt caught by Hartley and Mark’s tipped over the bar by a fine fingertip save. The latter brought the Scholars faithful into full voice as the side began to apply more pressure, Matty Cohen heading a corner wide of the near post on 72 minutes.

Chris Slater made his return from injury as he replaced Richard Teesdale with 16 minutes on the clock and got back to tackle just as Reed looked to have found a scoring chance.

Buxton doubled their lead in the 84th minute when Steve Ridley – on his 100th start for the club – crossed and the ball deflected off Jack Farmer past Acton at the far post.

Chasetown: Acton, Farmer, M Branch, Cohen, J Branch, Teesdale (Slater, 74 mins), Stephens (Ryan, 84 mins), Egan, Birch, Hay (D Smith, 74 mins), Davies

Other Subs: Parsons, Peel (not used)