CHIPPENHAM Town ran out 2-0 winners as they were given a stern workout by spirited Toolstation League outfit Bristol Manor Farm at Hardenhuish Park this afternoon.

Nathan Rudge's Bluebirds, who again fielded a side made up of triallists and regular first-teamers, peppered the Farm goal in the first half but failed to find a breakthrough before the visitors carved out a host of opportunities of their own in the second period.

Five minutes in, visiting keeper Cameron Tarr acrobatically palmed away a low strike from Aaron Ledgister and three minutes later, Isaac Reid's clever flick sent strike partner Lee Phillips racing clear but Tarr was equal to his effort on goal.

Moments later, Farm defender Nathan Loader almost put one into his own net before keeper Tarr threw himself in front of Shane Blackmore's close-range shot.

With 17 minutes on the clock, Ledgister tested Tarr again with a well-controlled volley from distance and eight minutes later, Phillips failed to put the finishing touch on Joe McClennan's cross after he stormed down the right flank.

Phillips saw his curling strike from the edge of the box clawed away by Tarr before the visitors went close to snatching the lead on the 30-minute mark.

Chippenham keeper Ben John got his body in the way of Will Hailstone's effort and showed some smart reactions to get up and deny the Farm striker from the rebound.

In the 38th minute, winger Liam Farmer also went close for the away side, firing a low left-footed strike narrowly past the post whilst at the other end, McClennan volleyed over under pressure after he met Mitch Tippins' header into the box.

Farm's Hailstone and Farmer both had efforts on goal early in the second half and the contest fell into a lull before the Bluebirds finally made the breakthrough in the 73rd minute.

Substitute Leon Jeanne fired goalwards from a corner kick and visiting keeper Tarr could only parry into the path of Ben Wickens, who poked home into the top corner.

Minutes later, the hosts almost made it 2-0 as Tom Knighton struck the inside of the left post and Phillips was narrowly beaten to the rebound by a Farm defender.

But with 77 minutes on the clock, the visitors somehow failed to level matters.

Farmer was first denied as his curling shot was expertly tipped over the bar by John and then from the resulting corner, the Farm winger headed wide of the post from close range, with the goal at his mercy.

Minutes later, another golden opportunity fell the visitors' way as Farmer got in down the right flank and teed up John Moss, who headed down in to the ground and over the bar.

Yet another chance fell Farmer's way again moments later, with the winger this time driving a strike against the outside of the post.

Farm continued to create chances late on and Moss worked some space in the box before seeing his shot blocked by the legs of John.

At the other end, Jeanne's looping free-kick was tipped over the bar by Tarr whilst Knighton's shot on the turn was well-held by the visiting keeper.

But with 90 minutes on the clock, the Bluebirds killed off any chance of a Farm equaliser as triallist Jeanne cut in from the left wing and lashed home a curling strike from outside the area.

Phillips almost added a third in added time as he got his head on the end of Harley Purnell's smart cross but his effort lofted just wide of the post.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Ben John, Luke Murden (Toby Osman 30), Jack Allward (Ben Wickens 71), Shane Blackmore (Charlie Austin 61), Greg Tindle, Mitch Tippins (Harley Purnell 45), Joe McClennan, Iain Harvey, Isaac Reid (Tom Knighton 45), Lee Phillips, Aaron Ledgister (Leon Jeanne 43).

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