Leek had the only really chance in a brisk opening twenty minutes or so. With just five minutes on the clock, Jordan Johnson’s shot took a deflection and Ryan Price did well to react and keep the parity.

Simon Brown was a whisker away from an equaliser with a floating free kick that evaded everyone and flicked the top of the crossbar on its way out.

Chasetown were very much in the game early on, but Leek demonstrated in the 27th minute why they are top of the league. A cross to the far post from Rhys Swetnam was quick and decisive and Andy Kinsey rose well to head beyond Price.

The Scholars were struggling to break down a well marshalled Leek defence with home centre back Dan Smith the outstanding player on the night, reading almost everything they sent forward. A Brown shot straight at keeper Ben Chapman and another shot which just needed a touch as it flashed wide of Chapman’s left-hand upright were the best Chasetown had to offer.

The home side pushed for a second and Kinsey headed wide from a corner, John Johnston drilled a shot into the side netting and Niall Maguire had his shot blocked from a Johnson through ball as the hosts looked to confirm the points.

Leek eventually sealed all three points up with just under 15 minutes remaining. A Kinsey cross broke loose to John Johnston who fired a powerful shot in from close range.

The home side took the opportunity to rest a few players ahead of their weekend FA Trophy tie without looking like their lead would be threatened.

There were moments when Craig Harris’ men did look comfortable on the ball in the middle third but lacked any penetration on the night to ever look like netting a consolation goal.

In stoppage time, former Scholar Johnson gave the final scoreline a somewhat flattering feel with a rasping right foot shot into the far corner – his 25th goal of the campaign.

Leek Town: Chapman, Smith, Bell, Swetnam, Donnelly, Hall, Danylyk (Cotton, 80 mins), Maguire, Kinsey (Husbands, 78 mins), Johnson, Johnston (Shelley, 83 mins)

Other Subs: Sheldon, Grice (not used)

Chasetown: Ryan Price, Jack Farmer, Louis Keenan, Chris Slater, Tesfa Robinson, Joe Halsall, Simon Brown, Danny Bragoli (Grant Beckett, 83 mins), Dean Bennett (Craig Bannister, 78 mins), Paul Sullivan, Andy Westwood (Ramone Stephens, 69 mins)

Other subs: Richard Teesdale, Nick Wellecomme (not used)