CHASETOWN suffered a disappointing defeat as they went down 1-0 at Congleton Town.
A second half strike from Dan Needham proved the difference between the two sides.
The Scholars went close to breaking the deadlock early on when a scramble in the home area somehow failed to result in the ball hitting the back of the net.
Joe Thompson then saw a header go over the top after being found by a Kris Taylor cross in a bright opening for the visitors.
But the game struggled for chances after a lively start, with Chasetown boss Mark Swann bringing on Jack Langston early in the second half in a bid to unlock the Congleton defence – and he soon drove a low shot goalwards, but it was kept out by keeper Aaron Woolrich.
The breakthrough eventually came from the home side with 20 minutes to go when a counter attack saw Needham produce a finish to beat Curtis Pond.
Despite a raft of late substitutions, Chasetown were unable to find a leveller.
