The warning signs were there early on with the pacy Shawn Richards causing mayhem down the Chasetown left, creating a chance inside five minutes and then winning the free kick on 11 minutes that led to the first goal. After Matt Jackson fouled Richards, the ball was floated into the box and an unmarked Matt Langham gave Ryan Price no chance from close range.

Chasetown’s best – and arguably only clearcut chance on the night – came just before the half hour mark. Paul Sullivan out muscled his defender to get into a goalscoring opportunity and his right foot shot was beaten away by Kahil Mann-Kler, with Dave Egan screaming for a pass on the edge of the six yard box.

On 30 minutes, Loughborough deservedly doubled their lead. Richards, again, from the Loughborough right whipped in a pass to the near post and Langham was on hand to turn in his second goal of the evening.

The Scholars were perhaps a little fortunate to only be going in 2-0 behind. Richards fired over the bar with just Price to beat and then kamikaze defending from Chasetown, giving the ball away when trying to retain possession, left Langham with a great chance to complete his hat-trick, only for Price to deny him.

Danny Smith put an effort wide before the break, but no-one could deny the half-time scoreline was justified.

After the break, substitute Theo Robinson showed signs of a possible comeback for Chasetown as the visitors did start the second period more positively.

Three minutes into the second half, Dave Egan had a great chance to reduce the arrears but lost his footing with just Mann-Kler to beat.
Loughborough put the icing on the cake of their performance in the final minute when Will Grocott was fed in acres of space and he picked his spot to drive the ball beyond Price.

The defeat meant that Chasetown are without a win now in 6 games, picking up just 3 points from the last 18 available.

Chasetown: Price, Downes (Maguire, 85 mins), Jackson, Farmer, Bate, Teesdale, Clarke-O’Connell (Robinson, HT), Saunders (Gould, 72 mins), Sullivan, Smith, Egan

Other subs: M Branch, Evans (not used)