CHIPPENHAM TOWN are staring effective relegation in the face after a second emphatic defeat inside a week.

The Bluebirds followed up their 6-1 Bank Holiday Monday loss to Dorchester with a 4-1 reverse at Hednesford the Premier Division's bottom club prior to the game.

The two disastrous defeats leave Chippenham second from bottom and in serious danger of missing the play-offs for Conference Two.

Failure to make the new set up will see the Wiltshire side left behind in the Premier, and a further division away from the Football League.

Chippenham goalkeeper Mark Hervin who ironically collected the league's Safe Hands award last month was picking the ball out of his net for the seventh time in six days within 12 minutes.

Steve Evans' corner fell for Darren Simpkins, his effort was blocked and the ball returned to Evans, who hammered home to give the hosts a goal advantage at half-time.

Two goals in four minutes early in the second half killed off Steve White's team.

Colin Towler scored his second own goal of the week, heading Evans' corner beyond Hervin on 48.

Carl Palmer then thrashed home the third from the edge of the area after good work from Steve Anthrobus.

Scott Walker gave Chippenham some brief hope with a customary left-foot drive on 58 minutes, but as the visitors neglected their defensive duties they were hit by a late fourth as Mark Danks rounded Hervin and calmly netted.

With just two games to play, White and Co are now back in the bottom four and many of their rivals have games in hand.

The manager pointed to the club's deteriorating funds and the wretched start the Bluebirds made to the campaign as reasons for their current plight.

"I've had £1,200 taken off my budget since January," said White. "Imagine the players that could get you at this level, and that's what other clubs have been able to do.

"Even if we lose the remaining games myself, Ronnie Needham and our players would have had a good season.

"The damage was done early in the season before we came to the club."

CHIPPENHAM: Hervin, Constable, Walker, Towler, Gould, Charity, Horgan, Wilmot, Paul, Allison, Herring. Subs: Davidson, Griffin, Regis, Robertson, Thorne.

CRAWLEY celebrated securing the Premier Division title with a 1-0 win at Nuneaton.

Former challengers Weymouth are in danger of missing out on runners-up medals after another disappointing result.

Steve Claridge's side had to rely on a last-minute Lee Phillips penalty to nick a 2-2 home draw with lowly Chelmsford.

Bath City moved into the play-off places as Scott Partridge's hat-trick helped them beat rock-bottom Grantham 5-1.