A DIFFICULT afternoon for Chippenham Town saw them crash to a league double at play-off chasing St Neots Town.

The opening quarter of an hour saw Bluebirds defender Jon Beeden twice thwart the dangerous Drew Roberts as he stopped one shot from entering the net and blocked another.

Lee Clarke then tested Chippenham keeper Kent Kauppinen with a headed effort, while Alex Ferguson's cross deceived Paul Bostock at the other end but the ball was scrambled away by Jack Wilkinson.

Tom Ward then volleyed over following a home free-kick before Kauppinen saved Roberts' 30-yard shot. A long clearance by Kauppinen then found Jordan Roberts but his long-range effort went wide.

Wilkinson's long throw on 37 minutes was headed just wide by home skipper Ryan Frater, while Conor McCormack's speculative shot was high for Chippenham.

St Neots took the lead a minute before the break when Clarke headed home a cross from Lewis Hilliard. In stoppage time, Kauppinen held Clarke's headed effort.

After the break Ward headed wide from a corner before Kauppinen dived to keep out a drive from Clarke and a fierce shot from Hilliard.

On 57 minutes, Clarke headed against the bar and the Saints then doubled their lead in unusual circumstances.

After collecting a high ball Kauppinen charged out of his area but collided with Clarke, resulting in a booking for the keeper and a penalty to St Neots that Roberts despatched.

On 85 minutes Hilliard was booked for a foul on Roberts that saw the Chippenham player carried off.

With all three substitutes used the Bluebirds were forced to play out the remainder of the game with ten men, and they fell further behind three minutes from time. Beeden lost out to Luis Vieira and the substitute fired home a third.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Kent Kauppinen, Conor McCormack (Lee Phillips 78), Jon Beeden, Matt Coupe, Jordan Roberts, Mark Preece, Alex Ferguson, Michael Pook, Charlie Griffin (Jack Odam 66), Ashan Holgate, James Guthrie (Ryan Campbell 66).

Referee: Matt Buonassisi

Attendance: 514