Kidsgrove started the game one of three teams rooted to the bottom of the league on 10 points and with Chasetown 9 points ahead of them, it was a vital game for both sides.

Other than an early Matt Haddrell chance for the home side that was cleared off the line after a goalmouth scramble, the visitors were the dominant force in the first half, stroking the ball about comfortably, getting players in good crossing positions and creating plenty of chances.

On 18 minutes, Ramone Stephens forced the first of many saves from home custodian Daniel Read as he dived full length to keep out Stephens’ right foot shot.

Just after the halfway point, Craig Bannister beat the offside trap and was through on Read’s goal only for the Grove keeper to block with his feet as Bannister attempted to side foot the ball beyond him.

Plenty of crosses from Lee Butler, Jack Farmer and Stephens had Kidsgrove very much on the back foot, and two minutes before half-time Chasetown finally broke the deadlock. Paul Sullivan started the move with a neat pass into Joe Halsall, Halsall spread it wide to Bannister, who returned the favour into the path of Sullivan who finished with some aplomb past a stranded Read.

It was the fillip that Chasetown needed after their first half dominance, but joy amongst the numerous away following was short-lived.

On the stroke of half-time, a ball pumped into the area was punched by Ryan Price only as far as an opponent who steered the ball goalwards where Thomas Wakefield got the final touch from close range to undeservedly send Kidsgrove in level with literally the last touch of the first half.

The goal had fired up the hosts and after the break Kidsgrove looked more purposeful on the ball and Chasetown were unable to get the first half fluency going again.

Within minutes of the restart Price was forced into saves from Karl Espley and Haddrell and out of nowhere the Scholars were in the back foot.

In the 68th minute came a rare opportunity for Craig Harris’ men and Read was again in top form to push away a goalbound Sullivan free kick with the rebound falling to the feet of Tesfa Robinson who was unable to turn the ball back on target from close range.

Chasetown were being restricted to long range efforts in an attempt to grab a winner but it was the Stoke side that perhaps were the deserved winners when substitute Nathan Chinn-Shaw found himself in space inside the box and drilled a shot beyond Price.

The introductions of Nick Wellecomme, Danny Smith and Andy Westwood were unable to change the pattern of the game and an equaliser was never forthcoming. The two sides meet again on Tuesday in Doodson Sport League Cup action.

Kidsgrove Athletic: Read, Street, Grocott, C Smith, A Taylor, P Taylor, Matranga (Chinn-Shaw, 64 mins), Espley, Haddrell, Wakefield (R Smith, 73 mins), Corden

Other subs: Whitehead, Twigg (not used)

Chasetown: Ryan Price, Jack Farmer, Grant Beckett, Chris Slater, Tesfa Robinson, Joe Halsall, Lee Butler (Danny Smith, 80 mins), Danny Bragoli, Craig Bannister (Nick Wellecomme, 61 mins), Paul Sullivan, Ramone Stephens (Andy Westwood, 85 mins)

Other subs: Louis Keenan, Danny Watson (not used)