Former West Bromwich Albion player Simon Brown received the ball in space and, when most people would have expected a drive along the ground, Brown detected enough room with Damien Stevens off his line and floated a sumptuous chip over the Market Drayton keeper that left Stevens stranded.

The goal would be a candidate for goal of the season at many clubs up and down the country and would be shown time and time again if it had happened in the Premier League.

The visitors had started brightly and forward Yannick Makota was showing why he was highly regarded forcing Chasetown’s back four onto the defensive to deal with his pace.

As the half progressed though, the standard of the game dropped considerably and neither side looked particularly likely to break the deadlock.

The second half started better for Chasetown and a shot on target within 60 seconds of the restart from Brown was the catalyst to taking the lead 4 minutes later.

Market Drayton almost equalised when Martyn Davies rattled the crossbar, with the rebound netted but ruled out for an earlier offside.

The Scholars had kept just three clean sheets in the league this season so the need for a second goal was heightened. Andy Westwood came close with a shot that was easily blocked in the end as Westwood slipped slightly as he fired goalwards.

The loose ball fell to Joe Halsall who was leaning back and could only direct the ball over the bar.
Chasetown also struck the crossbar when Paul Sullivan’s free kick beat Stevens but rebounded off the woodwork from 25 yards out in the inside-left channel.

A dominant defensive display from Chris Slater and Richard Teesdale blocked Market Drayton from any worthy goal attempts and Makota was anonymous in the second period.

Despite the importance of the three points to both sides, as Chasetown leap-frogged the Shropshire side in the league table, Market Drayton substitute Martyn Davies showed some early Christmas spirit with great sportsmanship in the final minute of the game.

With a Chasetown player struggling with an injury, Brown rolled the ball out of play for a throw in by the half-way line. At first, Market Drayton took the throw quickly to retain possession but the referee asked for the throw in to be taken again, Davies promptly kicked the ball out to return the possession to Chasetown.

Chasetown: Ryan Price, Jack Farmer, Louis Keenan, Chris Slater, Dean Bennett (Danny Bragoli, 78 mins), Richard Teesdale, Simon Brown, Joe Halsall, Danny Smith (Craig Bannister, 68 mins), Paul Sullivan (Ramone Stephens, 88 mins), Andy Westwood

Other subs: Grant Beckett, Danny Watson (not used)

Market Drayton Town: Stevens, Green, Ledwards (Jones, 77 mins), Askey, Westway, Blake, J Bennett, Porter, Makota, Foy (Davies, 57 mins), Stevenson

Other subs: Hall, Gee (not used)