Chasetown were on top throughout on Saturday as they eased to victory over Brigg Town in the UniBond League Division One South.

Gary Birch produced a fine move in the eighth minute to run into space and cut in from the left, but his shot was headed out for a corner by Matthew McKay.  Ross Miller then displayed some close marking to prevent a scoring chance for Karl Slack at the other end.

The Brigg defence were proving tough to crack but the home side finally took the lead just before the half hour when a mistake by Zebras keeper Jody Barford allowed Thomas to head the ball in for Scholars skipper Richard Teesdale to open the scoring.

The Scholars were straight back on the attack after the break with Birch heading over the bar and Ryan going close from a corner.

Then in the 54th minute Batchelor was brought down in the box and Birch coolly slotted home the penalty.

The Scholars suffered a blow on 73 minutes as Ryan was taken off on a  stretcher , but manager Charlie Blakemore said: “X-rays revealed no broken bones and cartilage damage is believed to be the extent of his injury, although his condition will be reassessed in the next few days.”

Ryan was replaced by Danny Smith, who had a scoring chance just five minutes later from close range, but again Barford pulled off a fine save.

But Barford had no chance on 80 minutes as Birch unle-shed a cracker of a shot for the Scholars’ third.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Market Drayton Town were losing out 2-1 in their FA Cup tie with Gainsborough Trinity. With no replay required, the Scholars will visit Market Drayton on Tuesday evening (7.45pm kick-off).