Chasetown's FA Trophy run is over

Chasetown manager Charlie Blakemore has hailed the Scholars' run in the FA Trophy as a "memorable journey" after dreams of a trip to Wembley ended at Mansfield.

Blakemore's men had consistently punched above their weight in the competition to reach the quarter-final stage but, despite a battling performance at Field Mill, a 3-1 replay defeat ensured it will be the Stags who play Luton in the semi-final.

But the Scholars boss paid tribute to his players for their efforts, after exiting the competition against a side who play two tiers above them in the football pyramid.

He said: "It was a fantastic performance from the lads and we can go out with immense pride.

"l told the players afterwards not to be disappointed because we go out of the competition with our heads held high - they have been fantastic.

"It has a been a memorable journey and it is one they will remember forever. It has been a fantastic experience for us all and it is just a shame we have gone out. The odds were against us but we kept fighting so I am proud of them.

"The opportunity is there now for us to go and create some more memories in the future."

Mansfield took the lead through Adam Murray but Chasetown equalised through Ben Jevons.

However, a contentious goal from Louis Briscoe saw the Stags retake the lead before Danny Mitchley added a third.

And Blakemore felt Mansfield's second goal, where there was a dispute over whether the ball had crossed the line before a player in an offside position put it in the net, was the deciding factor.

He said: "The turning point was the decision from the referee when he overruled an offside decision for Mansfield's second.

"I am still puzzled as to why he overruled it but the goal stood and credit to the lads, because they never stopped trying.

"It was a big decision and our tails were up at the time. To overrule the linesman on a decision like that is baffling. But unfortunately we just fell short on the night.

"We knew we were still some way from Wembley and playing sides like Mansfield you know you are going to be up against quality.

"To get so close it makes you feel sick when a decision like that changes the game."