Karl Edwards’ late equaliser ensured Chasetown Reserves maintain their unbeaten run in all competitions.
His 86th minute strike levelled things up against a spirited Quorn outfit that had been ahead from the second minute of play.
The in form visitors, who had netted 20 times in their last six matches, arrived at the Scholars Ground fully briefed that they were the only team in the league with a realistic chance of catching the runaway leaders. To reduce the deficit to six points they needed victory and their lightning start reflected the task ahead.
They were clearly overjoyed at being awarded a penalty after just two minutes which Alex Honour converted with a low drive.
Quorn didn’t rest on their laurels. Sensing they were on top, they went in search of number two. A dangerous Chris Baker cross was cleared away by Courtney Sowe and when Honour whipped the ball across the goal line, a tap in was all that was required but all three incoming players failed to connect.
On 18 minutes home keeper Mark Wiggins saved brilliantly from a Dan Couth header. Two minutes later Baker was denied by the post having latched onto a through ball from Dennis Moran.
The hosts remained under the cosh for most the first half. Clouth went close with another header Nick Goold curled a free kick over.
It wasn’t until the last ten minutes of the half that Chasetown managed to gain a foothold, showing a few promising attacks. Jonathan Gould just missed the target following a defence splitting pass from Jordan Archer while Tome Lowe and Sowe also went close.
However, all hopes for a second half Scholars revival were delivered a massive blow when they entered the arena to minus goalkeeper Wiggins who had been red carded for dissent during the interval. Andy Penny replaced Archer with Academy keeper Mario Kisiel.
Despite the reduction in numbers Chasetown transformed into a secure unit driven by the heroics of vice captain Jack Hulin as the hosts kept Quorn’s fliers at bay.
The only second half breakthrough the visitors produced was thwarted by an unbelievable block from Polish debutant Kisiel.
Despite Chasetown’s solid defensive display it was when Karl Edwards arrived and Penny changed to a 3-4-2 formation that they began to believe in themselves as a ten man attacking force.
Third substitute Jed Davies played Edwards through whose belter from the angle was parried by Quorn’s keeper Luke Barrett. Sowe also fired inches wide as the Scholars cavalier approach seemed to stun the visitors.
Chasetown’s wingers switched, Degville doing well down the left, testing Luke Barrett following a magnificent pass from Matthew Wood.
Just as the home side looked to have exhausted their opportunities, Edwards intervened with the equaliser. He calmly controlled a Davies pass and curled the ball into the gap between Barrett and the upright.
The Scholars Reserves remain nine points clear with five games remaining and must now be favourites to claim the title for the second successive year.
Tomorrow they play hosts to bottom of the league Brocton.
Chasetown: Wiggins (c) (Kisiel), Hayes (Edwards), Sowe, Wood, Hulin, J Aiton, Degville, Brown, Archer, Lowe (Davies), Gould. Subs not used: Darby, James.
