Whether it was the local rivalry cancelling the two sides out or the conditions under foot, but the first half was a poor affair. Chasetown failed to mount a serious attempt at goal, while Sutton had the better of possession territorially but failed to trouble Chasetown keeper Lee Evans, until the moment when the deadlock was broken.

After Chasetown failed to clear the ball, Sutton’s Jamie Sheldon was tripped in the box with Referee Mr Taylor pointing to the penalty spot – the fourth spot-kick Chasetown have conceded in three games. On Saturday, goalkeeper Evans made a save, but tonight Scott Rickards’ well struck penalty gave Evans no chance and the Royals had a deserved advantage.

It was almost as if a different Chasetown side emerged in the second period. The Scholars were immediately on the front foot in the search for an equaliser and it was forthcoming 9 minutes after the restart. Gary Hay curled in a delightful cross from the right which eluded goalkeeper Paul Hathaway and was headed home by the onrushing Simon Brown.

Chasetown utilised the pace of winger Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell, making his full debut, and on 71 minutes his cross into the centre was shot goalwards by Brown but deflected comfortably to Hathaway.

Two minutes later, however, Chasetown took the lead from the same source. Clarke-O’Connell’s cross was met by Simon Brown’s right boot, this time the effort being handled by Kristian Ramsey-Dickson with Mr Taylor pointing to the penalty spot for the second time.

Simon Brown assumed responsibility himself, and smashed the penalty into the roof of the net with Hathaway going the wrong way.

Clarke-O’Connell was the key instigator of the second half performance and The Scholars were rocked when the tricky winger collided with an advertising hoarding and hobbled off the field injured.

The Royals forced their way back into the game and Evans parried a fierce shot from Sheldon with five minutes remaining.

The visitors were ending strongly and equalised in the final minute of normal time. Substitute Dean Rathbone saw his first attempt come back off the post, after Evans had saved with his feet, but Rathbone reacted quickest to the rebound, steadied himself and turned to fire into the far corner of the goal.

Chasetown: Evans, Richardson (Farmer, 63 mins), Jackson, Slater, Bate, Teesdale, Clarke-O’Connell (Sullivan, 80 mins), Westwood, Hay, Smith, Brown (Maguire, 87 mins)

Other Subs: Wellecomme, Branch (not used)