Lincoln United 0 Chasetown 1
Chasetown shrugged off two second half injuries to take a success in their first ever UniBond League game at Lincoln United.
Chasetown shrugged off two second half injuries to take a success in their first ever UniBond League game at Lincoln United.
The Scholars' first chance came when Mark Branch picked up a Ross Miller cross in the first minute, but struck tamely at home goalkeeper Mario Ziccardi.
Dean Perrow, on his return from an ankle injury, then stabbed a Branch free-kick goalwards at the near post but the flag was up for offside.
Richard Batchelor was the next man to go close, as the Scholars continued to dominate with an early burst of attacking play, but Ziccardi plucked his shot out of the air.
Ben Steane was a star for the visitors as he covered almost every inch of the pitch through the first half, his display featuring several mazy runs through the Lincoln defence, one of which saw him send in a dangerous cross but there was no-one near to provide the finishing touch.
On 29 minutes, Perrow latched onto a long ball and cut through the home defenders, but was denied by Ziccardi.
Steane impressed again with a quick free-kick after Branch was fouled on the left and, with the United defence caught napping, Perrow broke through again but was denied by the offside flag.
The Whites had the first chance of the second half when Stuart Reddington headed a cross wide of the mark. The Scholars responded with Danny Smith and Perrow both going close.
Chasetown then suffered a double blow as, firstly, Perrow went down with a calf injury on 69 minutes. Five minutes later Miller was bundled into the advertising hoardings.
The enforced double change unsettled the Scholars slightly and Lincoln began to see more of the ball, but the visitors were soon back on the pace.
Steane cut in from the left on 77 minutes but was brought down on the edge of the area, and despite the travelling Chasetown fans appealing strongly for a penalty a free-kick was given which Steane sent over the bar.
The decisive striker came three minutes later. Batchelor pulled the ball back to substitute Dave Egan 12 yards out and the Scholars returnee side-footed past Ziccardi to clinch the points for the Scholars.
