The Chasetown defence stood and watched as Dunkley beat the offside trap to slot past the advancing Ryan Price, writes Paul Mullins.

Chasetown had the better of the first half chances. On twenty minutes, home keeper Alex Street produced a fine fingertip save to deprive a Gary Hay driven shot after Hay had cut in from the right.

Chase debutant Nick Wellecomme fired a chance into the sidenetting and then forced a low save from Street as The Scholars took early command of the game.

Roared on by a vocal crowd of just under 600, King’s Lynn had plenty of possession, but rarely threatened The Scholars goal, other than from long range. In the 28th minute, however, Dan Quigley looked destined to score, only to be denied by the right boot of Ryan Price.

The Scholars almost took the lead with a fluke at the start of the second half. Mark Branch and Simon Brown combined with a short corner, and Simon Brown's eventual cross deceived everyone and Street scurried back to palm behind for a corner.

King’s Lynn should perhaps have scored in the 57th minute when Quigley put a free header over the bar, and almost immediately at the other end, Quigley again, got his head on the ball to deflect a dangerous Mark Branch free-kick wide for a corner.

The winning goal came when Ross Watson’s precise through ball caught Chasetown a little square and Dunkley had time to pick his spot and side foot beyond Price.

A superb tackle from Chris Slater prevented Dunkley from adding a second goal as King’s Lynn looked to kill the game off.

In intense heat, Chasetown made a real effort to get back in the game and, with 8 minutes left, appealed for a penalty when substitute Paul Sullivan was pulled down. The ensuing action saw Wellecomme put a header just over the bar.

Craig Harris’ men almost levelled in the final minute when Street turned Hay’s header over the bar.

Chasetown: Price, Farmer (Johnson, 14 mins), Branch, Slater, Bate, Teesdale, Westwood, Brown (Sullivan, 74 mins), Wellecomme, Hay, Downes (Saunders, 61 mins)

Other subs: Richardson, Evans (not used)