The visitors were reduced to ten men as early as the 12th minute. Left back Ryan Ellison received a straight red after Referee Mr Brown adjudged the United player to have caught Callum Cockerill-Mollett with an elbow.

Ramsbottom almost took the lead five minutes later as Curtis Pond pulled off a top save to deny a Tom Schofield.

Chasetown took the lead after 23 minutes in bizarre circumstances. Keeper Sam Ashton tripped on the edge of the area fielding a routine ball and Tom Hill had the easiest chance to advance with the loose ball and fire into an empty net.

United thought they had levelled just after the half hour but their celebrations were cut short by the assistant's flag for offside.

Ramsbottom deservedly equaliser in the 40th minute. A defensive miskick set up Iyrwah Gooden who squared the ball to Jamie Rainford who side footed into an empty net.

On the hour, United were awarded a penalty after Gooden was tripped and Nic Evangelinos sent Pond the wrong way from the spot.

Chasetown pushed for the equaliser and a succession of corners saw Jack Langston fire goalwards and Ashton saved at full stretch to his left.

The Scholars equalised in the 88th minute after the scramble to end all goalmouth scrambles. Several Chase players stabbed the ball goalwards and it pinballed around before James Askey drilled the ball hard and low past Ashton.

Academy star Liam Kirton almost won it for the hosts with a chipped effort that Ashton held above his head.