The result meant that Chasetown are still unbeaten in League matches under new boss Chris Brindley, and also showed that their fighting spirit is still there after some poor Cup results recently.

The Robins had not been in the best of form in their League fixtures leading up to their clash at the Scholars Ground, but they made a lively start and a cross from Mark Peers in the seventh minute was only just cleared by Jimmy Turner, while Jonathan Bathurst fired over the bar after latching onto a back-header from Jack Farmer five minutes later.

Chasetown’s first chance came through a Mark Branch free kick from the edge of the area but the ball was deflected wide, but on 25 minutes the home side took the lead when Lee Wright outfoxed a defender on the left and crossed low to Perrow whose shot from a tight angle evaded keeper Terry Smith and found the far corner of the net.

Ashton’s response was immediate but stand-in Scholars skipper Gary Birch was able to clear their free kick, while Wright continued his fine form with a good curling shot which flew just wide of the post. He and Perrow were the stars for the Scholars but the Robins defence continued to try to stifle their attacks and a close-run half ended with the home side narrowly on top, Birch clearing an effort from George Melling off the line in stoppage time.

Skipper George Melling and Aaron Burns both saw chances go over the bar as the second half began while Danny Smith headed just wide from a Branch cross and Turner headed a free kick from the latter over the bar.

Ryan Price was keen to make up for his red card during Tuesday’s Staffordshire Senior Cup exit at Rocester and made several good saves as Ashton fought back including hacking Burns’s shot clear in the 68th minute.

Birch and Kingsley James both enjoyed chances for the Scholars as the half progressed but could not quite find the target, while Linden Dovey replaced Perrow and was straight into the action when he shot wide with keeper Smith scrambling back to his line.

The visitors went close in the closing stages with a cross from substitute Matty Kosylo finding the side netting and a stoppage time shot from Chris Amadi hitting the crossbar but Chasetown held on for victory.

Chasetown: Price, Farmer, M Branch, Slater, Turner, Hands, Smith (Westwood, 71 mins), James, Birch, Perrow (Dovey, 80 mins), Wright (Edwards, 86 mins)

Other Subs: Teesdale, Robinson (not used)