Gary Birch and Dean Perrow led a spirited Scholars attack in the early stages, the side clearly buoyed by an improved performance at North Ferriby United on Tuesday. Birch had the first shot which was blocked by Luke George with Perrow latching onto the rebound forcing Adam Alcock into a save.

Alcock also saved a Birch header as Chasetown continued to look strong, Mark Hands and Danny Smith then both firing over the bar before strong penalty appeals from the visitors were turned down after captain Courtney Pitt appeared to be brought down by Ryan Brown, the half ending goalless.

Stafford had clearly rallied their troops in the dressing room during the break as just six minutes into the second half they took the lead. Michael Carr headed on a Sean Kinsella free kick which rebounded back off the upright towards Ryan Price but sadly the Chasetown keeper could only help the ball into the net.

Four minutes later and George rose in front of goal to head home a ball from Brown and double Rangers’ lead, and the Scholars’ early hope suddenly dissipated although Ryan Dicker did have to think fast to clear a Jordan Archer effort off the line on 66 minutes.

Four minutes later and Carr latched onto another Kinsella free kick and found a way past the Scholars defence to make it three, and Chasetown’s 2012 progress was condemned to the doldrums once again. The visitors did pull one back on 75 minutes when Birch was well-placed to score from a Pitt corner, but any hopes of a Scholars fightback were extinguished on 81 minutes when Chris Morris beat Jimmy Turner and his shot defeated Price for Stafford’s fourth.

Chasetown: Price, Farmer, M Branch, Raglan (Teesdale, 59 mins), Turner, Lycett, Smith (Quinn, 68 mins), Hands, Birch, Perrow (Archer, 63 mins), Pitt

Other Subs: Downes, Bridgwater (not used)