Adam Farrell sends the ball into the box. Pic: Dave Birt

In the ten year anniversary of reaching the FA Cup first round, Chasetown FC’s hopes of repeating that feat came to an end at Stalybridge Celtic.

Stan Mugisha is denied. Pic: Dave Birt
Stan Mugisha is denied. Pic: Dave Birt

After a 15 minute floodlight failure delay, Chasetown made a positive start that belied the two league difference in the pyramid.

Garfield Robinson took the initiative for the Scholars and fired a whisker wide of the left hand post.

Chasetown lost Saturday’s scorer James Dance through injury midway through the half but Celtic were still unable to force a way through.

Five minutes before the break and with their first threatening attack, Stalybridge took the lead when a ball into the box was turned home by Jack Higgins as it hit the defender rather than a deliberate attempt by Higgins.

Francino Francis flicked a header just wide at the end of the half and Scholars winger Jono Gould tested keeper Tony McMillan with a fierce drive at the start of the second period.

Late on, Chasetown thought they had levelled when Lee Butler was narrowly flagged offside as he squared the ball to Ryan Wynter who had finished in style.

Celtic clinched it in the final minute with Adam Farrell’s crisp right foot finish past Bateman.