Cammell Laird 0 Chasetown 2

The visitors had the ball in the net as early as the fourth minute on Saturday. Home goalkeeper Kieran Burnett punched a Mark Branch corner clear and captain Dave Egan slammed the ball in from outside the area but the referee disallowed the goal for a foul on the keeper.

Reece Styche and Gary Birch were combining well in attack as Chasetown dominated, with the former twice blocked as he was about to shoot.

But, on 25 minutes, the Scholars injury jinx struck again as the former Shepshed striker left the field with an ankle injury, replaced by debutant and former Willenhall captain Gavin Saunders.

Egan moved up front to partner Birch and was straight into the attack, being brought down by Burnett on the corner of the 18-yard box with the goalkeeper receiving a yellow card.

Two minutes into the second half the deadlock was broken as Birch continued his recent good form, heading in Ben Steane's corner at the far post.

The hosts switched to playing the long ball game as the visitors were forced to defend. Liam Loughlin and Anthony Gardner both shot straight at Price, while the Scholars keeper pushed away a further effort from Foulkes and Ian Cooke popped up unmarked but hit the crossbar.

The Scholars then created several chances to double their lead, but Batchelor was denied by the woodwork and Birch twice failed to beat Burnett as he continued to impress.

Price then made a fine save to deny Foulkes from a free-kick before Loughlin was sent off for a push on Batchelor. In the final minute, Birch played substitute Danny Bragoli through for a right-footed shot which Burnett got his hands to but the ball nestled in the far corner.