The game began quietly but the quality of play racked up a notch in the second half, but a calamitous four-minute spell for the Scholars saw the Pics hit their brace to end the hosts’ hopes of a winter holiday derby double.

A fast paced start saw both sides evenly matched, a Jack Farmer corner on seven minutes swinging behind for a goal kick, and a very close game was in prospect between two in-form sides.

Chances were few and far between as the first half progressed, Dave Bridgwater’s 29th-minute free kick punched away by Pics keeper Chris Gemmell under pressure while Rushall were struggling to break down the robust Scholars defence, skipper Richard Teesdale recovering quickly from a knock on 33 minutes.

Despite a good atmosphere in the stands, the on-pitch action did not match it through the first half and the game somewhat lacked the feel of a local derby with very few chances either way.

The play changed markedly right from the second half kick-off, Danny Smith heading a Mark Branch corner inches wide on 46 minutes, but it was the Pics who took the lead on 55 minutes when Mark Briggs’s corner was fired home past Ryan Price by Alex Forde.

Price was called into action again two minutes later to tip away a shot from Ahmed Obeng but things went from bad to worse for the Scholars on 58 minutes when a cross from the right was intercepted by Jimmy Turner but he unfortunately slid the ball into his own net to double Rushall’s lead.

Chasetown showed signs of a fight back with Smith’s 74th-minute scissor kick just failing to meet the target while Smith and Dean Perrow combined nicely down the right but Perrow’s final low shot was tamely struck and Gemmell gathered.

Skipper Lucan Spittle then blocked a shot from Lee Wright as Chasetown began to push harder, Turner crossing to Smith on 84 minutes but the latter’s snap shot forced a super save from Gemmell to push the ball over the bar for a corner.

The Scholars continued to press, Farmer’s high cross met by Gary Birch whose header went over the bar, but no further opportunities were forthcoming and the visitors took the spoils.

Chasetown: Price, Farmer, M Branch (Wright, 66 mins), Slater, Turner, Teesdale, Hands (Birch, 61 mins), Stride (Westwood, 75 mins), Smith, Perrow, Bridgwater

Other Subs: Edwards, Downes (not used)