The Scholars remain nine points off those places but with this result they extended their unbeaten league run to ten games and are waiting on the rails for any of their rivals to slip up in the home straight.

As games go, this was anything but a classic, but as The Scholars had beaten Newcastle 2-1 at The Scholars Ground a week ago, it was a significant step taking points off their Staffordshire neighbours who are eight points clear of Chasetown having played a game more in 7th position.

On a bobbly pitch that was barren in places, neither side could take significant control of the first half with chances restricted to set pieces but neither Adam Alcock or Ryan Price between the sticks were particularly troubled.

Newcastle threw on their former player Neville Thompson – who had stunned the Scholars last season with a hat-trick in the 4-0 defeat that Chasetown had suffered – but he failed to ignite a lacklustre Newcastle performance.

Craig Harris responded with the pace of Jono Gould and within seconds of his introduction right back James Askey was yellow carded for stopping the winger in his tracks.

It was Newcastle who had probably the best chance to steal the three points. Josh Gordon outpaced full back Todd Evans who had picked up a knock a minute or two earlier and crossed to the far post where three team mates were ready and waiting. Matt Lowe was the one who got the chance and looked certain to fire home but for a phenomenal block by left back Grant Beckett to protect keeper Price.

Chasetown retaliated with the best move of the game. Cool defending from Tesfa Robinson casually brought the ball out of defence and advanced to the half way line where Gould took over, slipping the ball into Simon Brown who was a whisker wide of Alcock’s left hand upright.

‘Castle left back Jon Sheldon was yellow carded for a foul on Lee Butler and then went eyeball to eyeball with the referee in protest at a later decision.

The visitors ended the game with ten men though inside four minutes of stoppage time. Danny Bragoli was yellow carded for a foul and possibly dissented the decision and received an immediate second yellow from the Official.

Newcastle Town: Alcock, J Askey, Sheldon, Ashman, Woolliscroft, Lowe, France (Bridge, 65 mins), Skelton, Cole (Thompson, 58 mins), Sanders, Gordon

Other subs: L Askey (not used)

Chasetown: Ryan Price, Todd Evans (Jack Farmer, 71 mins), Grant Beckett, Chris Slater, Tesfa Robinson, Dean Bennett, Lee Butler, Danny Bragoli, Nick Wellecomme (Danny Smith, 81 mins), Simon Brown, Ramone Stephens (Jono Gould, 62 mins)

Other sub: Danny Watson (not used)