After a fairly placid opening 20 minutes, Chasetown took control and, midway through the half, on his full debut, Leigh Downing curled an effort inches wide as the home side began to take over.

It was Leigh Downing who gave Chasetown the lead just short of the half hour mark. Paul Sullivan’s shot was blocked by Roms keeper Matthew Coton and when the ball came back to Sullivan, he rolled it in the direction of Danny Bragoli and Downing, the latter of whom shouted for the ball to be left for him and he netted his first goal for the club with a crisp shot into the back of the net.

Moments later, Nick Wellecomme’s fierce drive cleared the outstretched hand of Coton but also narrowly cleared the crossbar as Craig Harris’ men exerted their authority on the tie.

Romulus’ token first half effort was a Tyron Amory shot which was well wide, so it was no surprise when Chasetown deservedly increased their lead. Danny Bragoli’s free kick wide to the edge of the area was met by a bullet header from Sullivan which rattled the crossbar and fell to a defender’s foot who could only scuff it clear as far as Tesfa Robinson who slammed the ball home from close range.

Chasetown had promised a response to their poor early league form and had the game all but wrapped up before the break. Louis Keenan sent a long ball over the top into the path of Sullivan who diverted the ball beyond the onrushing Matthew Coton.

Such was the feelgood factor around The Scholars Ground at the break, PA announcer Paul Burrell joked that first time matchday sponsors AGS should come back again soon!

Romulus, who came into this game unbeaten in the league, needed a response and Marcus Brown had a free header in the first three minutes of the second period but he directed it straight at Ryan Price.

Wellecomme teed up Sullivan who was denied by a great block from Coton and then the visiting number one had to be at his best to dive at the feet of Lee Butler who had got on the end of a chipped through ball from skipper Chris Slater.

Sullivan went close again before Romulus hit back through Marcus Brown.

After three defeats, Chasetown fans may have been forgiven for being nervous and with twenty minutes on the clock another Roms goal might have made the game a little nervy.

In truth though, Romulus rarely troubled Price and it was opposite number Coton that was kept busy throughout the remainder of the second half and another day Sullivan could easily have had a hat trick.

Instead, 3-1 was sufficient to take the Scholars through to the prize of a home tie local derby with Stafford Rangers on September 14th.

Chasetown: Ryan Price, Jack Farmer, Louis Keenan, Chris Slater, Tesfa Robinson, Avun Jephcott (Andy Westwood, 71 mins), Lee Butler, Danny Bragoli, Nick Wellecomme, Paul Sullivan (Gary Hay, 84 mins), Leigh Downing

Other subs: Richard Teesdale, Simon Brown, Ramone Stephens, Danny Smith, Danny Watson (not used)

Romulus: Coton, Danville (Caines, 52 mins), Lee, Boothe, Francis, Lee Smith (Hadley, 67 mins), Darkin (Keen, HT), O’Callaghan, Brown, Turton, Amory

Other subs: Charles, Fincher, Exall, Barnett (not used)