The first half was a tight affair but two early second half goals from Brian Cusworth placed the Scholars on the back foot and the Steels took only their second league success of the season.

The home side started positively with several forays into the Steels’ area, while a Chris Peel free kick from 20 yards out flew straight to keeper Ben Scott. Mark Hands then sent another free kick over the bar, while the first chance for the visitors came on 23 minutes when Ryan Price gathered a cross just under his bar.

Moments later the visitors were ahead when a fierce right-footed shot from Jack Muldoon left Price with no chance, and Chasetown’s confidence began to wane although Peel and Hands continued to fight while Dean Perrow tried to break through on 39 minutes but defender Richard Haigh prevented him from shooting.

Four minutes later the Scholars equalised when a fine 35-yard free kick from Jack Farmer squeezed between keeper Scott and the post. The assistant’s flag was instantly in the air but after consultation referee Brown awarded the goal.

Just two minutes into the second half a mistake by Darren Stride allowed Cusworth into the area to fire home left-footed inside Price’s near post and Stocksbridge were back in the lead.

Muldoon then dragged a shot wide before on 49 minutes Cusworth beat four defenders before hammering the ball right-footed, Price getting a hand to it but unable to keep the ball out and Cusworth had his second and the visitors’ third.

Steels were now in the driving seat but Hands continued his good showing for the Scholars, one effort blocked by Haigh and another saved by Scott following Peel’s corner.

Peel and substitute Alex Melbourne produced some well-placed crosses but Chasetown’s attackers could not get onto the end of them, while Gary Birch had their final chance of the evening when his back header from a Peel free kick was pushed acrobatically over the bar by Scott and the resulting corner was easily cleared.

Chasetown: Price, Farmer, Peel, Turner, Stride (Stephens, 54 mins), Teesdale, Smith (Melbourne, 62 mins), Hands, Dovey, Perrow (Birch, 54 mins), Jevons

Other Subs: M Branch, Cohen (not used)