Following an excellent first half with the Scholars looking dominant, the Yellows entered an improved second half performance with Ross Whalin putting in a great performance in goal and a fine display of football was produced.

Chasetown got off to a flying start when a Mark Branch free kick – on the winger’s 250th appearance for the Scholars – from the right in the second minute found Perrow who out jumped the Town defence to head home at the near post.

Perrow and Gary Hay were at full speed up front for the Scholars, Hay’s shot in the seventh minute blocked by Grant Brindley while Ben Jevons and Danny Smith looked strong in support of the two strikers.

Tyeisse Nightingale went close with a header following a Yellows free kick on 14 minutes but the Scholars were instantly back on the attack, Jevons denied an opportunity by the offside flag as the fast and furious pace continued.

Another Hucknall free kick was driven just wide of the far post by Nightingale before Yellows keeper Ross Whalin dived to push Perrow’s 20-yard strike around the post and a shot from Dave Egan was cleared off the line as Chasetown continued to pepper Whalin’s goalmouth with chances, Smith the next to go close following another Branch free kick out on the right.

Whalin then dived to pluck away Hay’s shot to close a hugely entertaining first half with the Scholars firmly in control.

The hosts were right back on it from the outset in the second half forcing the lively Whalin into several fine saves before the visitors tightened their grip in midfield, Nightingale breaking through on 58 minutes to head over Ryan Price’s bar.

Price saw his first real action of the afternoon when he dived to tip away Nightingale’s shot after a good cross from Callum Lloyd as the Yellows showed a definite revival with the sun sinking lower.

The number of chances for both sides slowly began to decrease as Chasetown sought to protect their lead, substitute Dave Bridgwater firing high over the bar in the closing minutes for the Scholars and he went close again from a superb Dave Egan cross but his sliding effort went just wide.

Chasetown: Price, Turner, M Branch, Slater, Davies, Teesdale, Smith (Cohen, 88 mins), Egan, Hay,
Perrow (Ryan, 78 mins), Jevons (Bridgwater, 80 mins)

Other Subs: Robinson, Westwood (not used)