MIDWEEK FOOTBALL: AN EXTRA-TIME penalty from home skipper Gareth Loydon sent Chippenham Town out of the Dr Martens Cup at the first hurdle at Cossham Street on Tuesday night.

The Bluebirds had recovered from a two-goal half time deficit to force extra- time, thanks to a Steve Tweddle penalty and a late Dave Bright goal, but Loydon's second goal of the game in the final minute of the first period of extra time was enough to settle the issue.

Chippenham's defeat at the hands of their old Screwfix Direct League sparring partners came in their first ever outing in the competition and followed their FA Trophy exit last week.

Bluebirds assistant manager Colin Bush felt his side had paid the price of a disappointing first half display and some inconsistent refereeing.

He said: "It was a terrible performance in the first half. Like Saturday, we just couldn't get out of the starting blocks again.

"A couple of goals in the first half lifted them and a rocket at half-time really turned the game.

"We felt then the third goal of the game would win it and we got it and got back to 2-2.

"I think our penalty was a bit harsh on them, but Brighty definitely should have had a penalty when he went through, and the only bloke in the ground who thought their penalty should be given was the referee.

"That was decisive in the end, but we are disappointed in the way we played. We can't keep giving ourselves mountains to climb."

Chippenham boss Tommy Saunders made one change from the side that beat Bedworth on Saturday, bringing in fit-again Tweddle for new signing Andy Catley.

But the Bluebirds struggled to find any cohesion in the first period and were behind on 18 minutes when ex-Bristol Rovers man Rob Claridge robbed Shane Andrews and cracked a low drive into the bottom left corner of Dave Mogg's net.

Steve Brown was forced to leave the field with a foot injury before the hosts made it two just past the half hour mark thanks to a looping effort from Loydon.

Saunders' half-time team talk clearly worked and Chippenham's large travelling band of supporters were treated to an improved second half display.

Tweddle was hauled back in the area by Craig Russell in 61st minute and duly despatched his spot kick to give the visitors renewed hope.

Bright was then introduced as Chippenham went in search of an equaliser and the striker, so often the Bluebirds' hero after coming off the bench, thumped a 20-yard effort home with two minutes remaining to force the game into extra-time.

Home goalkeeper Dave Dyson saved brilliantly to deny Tweddle in the final minute of the first extra period before the penalty award that decided the tie.

Visiting midfielder John Woods was adjudged to have handled following a right wing Mangotsfield corner and Loydon sent Mogg the wrong way to book the hosts' passage to round two.

IN the Screwfix Direct Premier Division, Devizes Town's five match uneaten run came to an end at unbeaten league leaders Brislington.

Brian Newlands' side, who soared to sixth in the table with victory at Westbury on Saturday, gave a gutsy display at Ironmould Lane before going down to a 2-1 defeat.

The visitors made the worst possible start when Darren Tapper conceded a penalty inside the opening five minutes and were grateful to goalkeeper Paul Thompson as the home side dominated the first half.

Devizes were on terms on 55 minutes when Nick Mooney blasted home a Nathan Perkins cross at the far post, but experienced frontman David Mehew bagged the winner for the hosts five minutes later.

Visiting manager Brian Newlands was pleased with his side's performance despite the defeat.

He said: "It was a good game. They are a good side, but you would expect that being at the top of the league.

"We battled hard and gave them a run for their money. Although they played well, we could have got something out of the game and I was a bit disappointed with the result in the end."

CALNE Town ended their poor recent run of results with a useful point from their First Division home clash with mid-table Weston St Johns.

Striker Julian Alexander tormented the visitors in the opening stages and won a 25th minute penalty when he was tripped inside the area by Ryan Harris.

Justin Lowe fired the hosts into the lead from the spot, but saw a 40th minute penalty saved by Andy Brooks following a foul on Stuart Skinner. The luckless Lowe then hit a post from the rebound.

Calne paid the price two minutes later when marksman Graham Cheeseman rifled the ball into the roof of the net to put Weston on level terms.

Cheeseman twice came close to grabbing a win for the visitors in the second half, but some resolute Calne defending kept Weston at bay and brought an end to their dismal run of five straight defeats.

Home manager Paul Rankin hopes the result will give Calne something to build on in their bid to climb away from the foot of the table.

He said: "I was very pleased with the performance and the attitude of the players we have brought in.

"Although we were under the cosh in the second half we had the clearer chances.

"The players were throwing themselves into tackles and perhaps we haven't had that commitment in the last couple of games. We just need to take that on now."