A scrappy and uninspiring affair saw Gary Birch’s first half header mark the difference between two sides who robustly cancelled each other out for most of the 90 minutes.

After an even start Birch found Chasetown’s first opening on the right in the fifth minute but the ball was cleared out for a corner, while Brad Grayson was leading the home attack but Jimmy Turner and Chris Slater worked hard to counter his efforts.

David Bridgwater came close to celebrating his return to the Scholars from Kidsgrove Athletic in the eighth minute but Blues keeper Stephen Dickinson leapt to catch his well-struck free kick, while Grayson and Ollie Ryan were continuing to cause the visiting back line problems.

Chasetown took the lead seemingly out of nowhere in the 20th minute when Mark Branch’s cross into the box was met with a clear header by Birch and the ball flew beyond Dickinson into the corner of the net.

Frickley looked strong thereafter but the Scholars worked hard to try to add a second, Branch’s free kick flying over the bar on 33 minutes while another dangerous Bridgwater free kick bounced off the crossbar with the keeper beaten.

The pace was notably slower in the second half and both sides struggled to create chances, Turner finding the only opportunity for the Scholars in the opening minutes but his chance came to nothing.

Grayson was again the principal attacker for the Blues but Turner and Slater again dealt with his threat, while Ryan Mallon’s header came to nought on 66 minutes.

Ryan swung a shot goalwards following a free kick on 70 minutes but Ryan Price was equal to it, while Scholars penalty appeals were waved away when Dean Perrow went down under pressure from Lincoln Adams.

Frickley had their best chance on 75 minutes when a thunderbolt 30-yard shot from James Ashmore flew narrowly over the crossbar, while substitute Danny South headed down a cross but the ball bounced wide of the far post as the hosts began to look stronger in the closing stages. A free kick from the left by Ashmore was put out by Price for a corner with four minutes to go, and the Blues’ last couple of attacks were halted by Jack Farmer and the impressive Slater to seal Chasetown the points.

Chasetown: Price, Farmer, M Branch, Slater, J Turner, Teesdale, Hands, Stride, Birch, Perrow (Smith, 83 mins), Bridgwater (Wright, 74 mins)

Other Subs: Westwood, Edwards, Birt (not used)