Chances were few and far between in a goalless first half. Market Drayton twice got in good positions but was wasteful in front of goal. Nick Porter drove a shot high and wide from close range and Shaun Humphries with a shot dragged narrowly wide of the post were the visitors best attempts.

At the other end, Chasetown forced visiting keeper Damian Stevens into two first half saves. Firstly, Paul Sullivan produced a low save from Stevens when put through. Then, Nick Wellecomme raced onto a Simon Brown through ball and fired goalwards under pressure from the onrushing Stevens with the ball squirming beneath Stevens’ body before being cleared off the line by Sean Jones.

Market Drayton took the lead in the 47th minute when Darryl Proffitt got on the end of a right-wing corner getting to the ball before Ryan Price to divert his header into the far corner of the net.

After four home wins on the trot, Chasetown looked a little lacklustre in attack, resulting in a quiet crowd and flat atmosphere.

Manager Craig Harris made a bold substitution just after the hour mark, replacing experience with youth as Mark Branch was replaced by Jono Gould on the left hand side of midfield.

Gould made an immediate impact. Within seconds of coming on, Gould burst into the area on the end of a pass from midfield and immediately had the Shropshire side on the back foot.

A minute later, the youngster tried his luck from long range, the ball dipping narrowly over the bar with Stevens stranded.

Gould’s introduction livened up the crowd and the introduction of Danny Smith in the 70th minute gave Chasetown a second boost.

Within a minute of Smith coming on, Chasetown were on level terms. A cross from the right found its way through to leading goalscorer Nick Wellecomme who reacted quickly and drilled a low shot past Stevens – his fourth goal of the season.

Chasetown ended the game more strongly but two evenly matched sides need to do it all again in midweek.

Chasetown: Price, Farmer, Jackson, Slater, Bate (Saunders, 83 mins), Teesdale, Brown, Downes, Wellecomme, Sullivan (Smith, 70 mins), Branch (Gould, 61 mins)

Other Subs: Richardson, Maguire, Clarke-O’Connell, Evans (not used)