With the slightly under-strength Scholars side, missing skipper Richard Teesdale and strikers Gary Birch and Danny Quinn, kicking into the wind and low sun in the first half, the action was limited early on, Marine skipper Neil Harvey enjoying the first chance on eight minutes but he fired over the bar.

Dean Perrow found space for a chance on 17 minutes but his right-footed shot flew over the bar, and three minutes later the visitors took the lead when Jimmy Turner conceded a foul and keeper Ryan Price could only help Louis Barnes’s free kick into the net.

Price then stopped a brace of efforts from Harvey while his opposite number David Newnes plucked the ball off Perrow’s head on 24 minutes, the Scholars finding another chance eight minutes later but Mark Hands’ cross was cleared for a corner.

Perrow fired wide on 42 minutes before Marine found two more chances just before the break, Sam Barnes going close before Jonathan Goulding smashed a Harvey cross over the bar.

The Scholars made a bright start to the second half with Lee Wright and reserve team graduate Jordan Archer combining well while Perrow quickly found an opportunity but was caught offside, and the Scholars striker departed injured on 55 minutes and was replaced by Greg Downes.

This left Danny Smith and Archer to lead the Scholars attack and Smith’s right-footed shot on the hour was pushed round the post by Newnes while Charlie Raglan and Mark Branch impressed in defence, the former close to heading home a corner on 75 minutes but his effort went narrowly over.

Substitute Darren Byers found the net for Marine with a header with ten minutes to go but the goal was ruled offside and the Mariners played out the final minutes to frustrate Chasetown after an encouraging performance by the hosts.

Chasetown: Price, Farmer, M Branch, Raglan, Turner, Hands, Wright (Edwards, 83 mins), Bridgwater (Smith, HT), Archer, Perrow (Downes, 55 mins), Pitt

Other Subs: Cresswell, Lycett (not used)