The Scholars made a positive start, full of good possession and quick passing movements. It was therefore no surprise when they took the lead in the 27th minute. Mark Branch curled in a beautiful free-kick to the near post, which caught Sheffield on the hop, and Theo Robinson reacted quickest of all to fire inside the post.

Within 90 seconds, Chasetown had doubled their lead. Scott Rickards, who was influential in last week’s 6-1 win, played a neat ball into goalscorer Robinson and his well-time pass to Nick Wellecomme saw the club’s leading scorer chip over the advancing Liam Flynn with a confident finish – his 9th goal of the season, and 8th in 8 league games.

Maybe if the Scholars had held out until half-time then the victory may have been theirs, but Sheffield got a goal back two minutes before the break. Lee Featherstone broke down the Sheffield left and squared into the box where a combination of Andy Gascoigne and defender Richard Teesdale diverted the ball beyond Ryan Price, with some debate whether the goal was an own goal or whether Gascoigne would claim it.

Three minutes after the break, Sheffield was all square when Shoquilee McKenzie let rip with a left footed shot which left Price with no chance.

Roared on by a 300+ crowd, 20 or so which came from Milan, Italy to support the World’s Oldest Football Club, Sheffield were in the ascendancy at the start of the second half.

However, it was the visitors who should have regained the lead in the 54th minute. Danny Smith motored through the inside right channel for Chasetown and fired narrowly over the bar. Then, Chasetown had a strong penalty appeal turned away when Robinson seemed to be fouled after Teesdale had powerfully headed a Rickards corner back across goal.

On the hour, Chasetown were inches away from 3-2. Rickards’ pass through to Danny Smith was exquisite. Smith went round the keeper Flynn and rolled the ball towards the line, only to see Jobe Shaw race back to clear the ball off the line.

Sheffield retaliated and a double block on the line and a goalmouth scramble kept the score at parity.

Chasetown again appealed for a penalty when Smith was brought down, but again nothing was awarded Chasetown’s way.

After riding some periods of home pressure, it was the Scholars who went closest to snatching the three points when Theo Robinson drove the ball goalwards and Flynn reacted quickly to kick the ball away.

Chasetown: Price, Downes, Branch, Farmer, Ashton, Teesdale, Rickards (Brown, 68 mins), Saunders, Wellecomme, Smith, Theo Robinson

Other subs: Tesfa Robinson, Westwood, Jackson, Kisiel (not used)