Furious midfielder Ellis Wilmott believed the linesman's decision to award Bath's equalising goal robbed Chippenham of all three points on Tuesday.

Wilmott was stood a few yards away from Mark Hervin and is certain the ball never crossed the line.

He said: "When Mark caught the ball he was stood on the line, he got pushed back but the ball still did not cross over. The Bath players thought it was a free kick and somehow the linesman has given it. They could not believe their luck.

"The decision changed the whole game."

The midfielder was impressed with his team's stern performance and thought Bath did not deserve to score a goal.

He said: "If their goal had not been given there was certainly no other way they were going to get the ball in the back of the net. They had a lot of possession but we worked hard to stop them from scoring."

A point kept Chippenham on top of the Southern League table and opens up a single point gap above nearest rivals Bedford.

Wilmott said: "We cannot have too many complaints as they are a good side and the point keeps us at the top, although there is still a long way to go. Considering the circumstances and their goal it is a good draw."

Wilmott, who lives in Bath and works as a teacher at Beecham Clift School, was looking forward to the game as a lot of his students have been asking him about it in school.

"A few of them have been asking me about the game, everyone likes a local derby and the game created a lot of interest," he said.

"It is good when the children show interest and come to talk to you about the match."