The away side started positively enough and within 90 seconds of the kick off, Sammy Macvicar forced Ryan Price into an early save to signal the away side’s intent.

However, Chasetown had other ideas and took control of the game and when they took the lead in the 12th minute it was no more than they deserved. Danny Bragoli rolled the ball into Paul Sullivan who had plenty to do but, to use a very traditional footballing phrase, Sullivan turned on a sixpence and fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of Curtis McDonald’s net.

Craig Harris’ men were good value for the lead and had a golden chance to make it 2-0 just after the midway point of the first half. Craig Bannister got on the end of a through ball from midfield and as McDonald advanced, Bannister tried to get his shot away only to be denied by a top class McDonald save.

If that save was good, McDonald surpassed it two minutes later, beating away a powerful effort from Jack Farmer on the edge of the area which had goal written all over it until the Millers’ Number one pulled off another fantastic stop.

Three minutes after the restart it was Bannister versus McDonald take two as the Scholars striker looked destined to net but somehow the Carlton keeper made himself big a la Peter Schmeichel and kept it out at his near post.

Then, just over a minute later, Bannister would have been forgiven for thinking it wasn’t going to be his day. Chasing a ball as McDonald advanced, Bannister finally got the ball beyond the Town keeper as McDonald clattered into his own defender. It looked a certainty that the Chase number 9 would get there first to tap the ball into an empty net but, out of nowhere, Lee Torr retreated to get there first and clear the danger.

Quarter of an hour from the end, Chasetown finally doubled their lead and Bannister finally got his goal. Carlton’s defence was all at sea as Simon Brown found Bannister who steered the ball beyond McDonald and over the head of strike partner Sullivan on the line.

Carlton’s players were furious that Sullivan was in an offside position in the centre of the goal, but, after consultation with his assistant, referee Mr Smith concluded that Sullivan had not touched the ball, was not interfering with play and the goal was perfectly valid.

The visitors responded with a late goal from substitute Joe Brothwell across keeper Price to dent what would otherwise have been a perfect victory with a clean sheet, but it was too little too late for the Nottinghamshire side.

Chasetown almost added a third in the dying seconds when, of all people, Chris Slater had a chance inside the area and was no more than an inch away from this third ever Chasetown goal!

Chasetown: Ryan Price, Jack Farmer, Grant Beckett, Chris Slater, Tesfa Robinson, Joe Halsall, Simon Brown, Danny Bragoli, Craig Bannister (Danny Smith, 89 mins), Paul Sullivan, Dean Bennett (Andy Westwood, 90+3 mins)

Other subs: Tyrone Williams, Nick Wellecomme, Ramone Stephens (not used)

Carlton Town: McDonald, Anderson, Brindley (B Bennett, 77 mins), Troke, Torr, Ball, Thornton, Elliot, Macvicar, Vilums (Brothwell, 60 mins), Flynn (Bailey, 60 mins)

Other sub: Keane (not used)