They took the lead through a Joey Butlin effort before Kane Richards pulled us level at the break. The second half then saw Chasetown ‘keeper Curtis Pond sent off for violent conduct. But we could not make our extra man count and fell behind through Ryan Wynter’s header and the hosts held onto that lead.

Chasetown started on the front foot and in the 9th minute took the lead. A free-kick from the left was powered in by Butlin. The fast start continued as just three minutes later Jordan Evans found space to force Jordan Pierrepont, who was making his first competitive start for us, into a good stop.

We then grew into the game and were soon level. Ryan Wilson’s stunning freekick from the right was met by the head of Richards who powered it into the back of the net. We then came close on two occasions before the break. A low ball in from Niall Towle was almost turned in at the back post before Kyle Dixon showed some great footwork and curled inches wide of the far post.

The second half started with a red card as Chasetown’s number one Pond was shown a straight red. The ‘keeper beat Towle to the ball but then decide to have a kick out at our striker and was quickly given his marching orders.

We failed to make our man advantage count and were quickly behind. A cross into the box was met by the head of Wynter, who guided the ball into the far corner.

We quickly regrouped for a second time and pushed players forward. After several good pieces of defending from the hosts, Matt Thornhill headed over the bar before he saw his free kick well saved. The hosts resolute defending as we saw two goal bound efforts from Wilson and James Clifton blocked.

The biggest chance of the game then came to our skipper. Thornhill linked up well with Towle and found space in the area but dragged his effort just wide of the post. We then had another chance but Howes saw his effort saved by the stand in ‘keeper Callum Haywood.

In the dying moments we pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find a way through.

Starting XI: 1-Pierrepont, 2-Clifton, 3-Roma (Dixon), 4-Thornhill, 5-Galinski, 6-Gatter,
7-Richards (Howes), 8-Chettle, 9-Towle, 10-James (Hines), 11-Wilson

Up next: Away vs Lancaster Town
26/09/2020
Kick-off 3:00pm