Now he has got hold of the number five shirt, Dale Peckham isn't about to let it go easily ahead of Saturday's FA Cup trip to Beaconsfield.

The powerful defender had to wait for his chance after suspension but, due to Ollie Price's ankle injury, he has slotted seamlessly into the Bluebirds defence.

He followed up a confident debut in the 5-1 rout of Cheshunt with an assured performance in the 1-1 draw with Corby on Saturday. Now he is aiming to become a key figure for manager Adie Mings.

"You cannot expect to get a starting place but if you play well and are patient you will get your rewards, which is something Adie has preached," said the summer signing from Paulton Rovers.

"I want to play every game I am available for and I don't see any reason why Adie would want to change things if we are playing well as a unit.

"I didn't play as much as I would have liked during pre-season and the suspension didn't help because Adie was looking at his starting 11.

But now it has started to click and I'm getting match fit so the fans will be able to see a fit Dale Peckham soon."

The 26-year-old was assured alongside Kes Metitiri on Saturday but his performance wasn't without error. He let in Steve Diggins after leaving a long ball, and was grateful to defensive partner Metitiri for clearing off the line.

"I was looking for a shout from Chris Snoddy and didn't realise there was a man behind me," said Peckham.

"I should have just cleared it but overall I was quite pleased with the ay played. I was struggling in the last ten minutes but playing another game gets me fitter."

Two minutes after his defensive heroics, Metitiri equalised for the Bluebirds and Peckham is hopeful of netting his first goal for his new club soon.

"I'm trying to get a little fitter before I go into the other side's half and am able to run back," he joked. "I got four or five last year so once I am a bit fitter I will be having a word in Adie's ear to go up."

Metitiri's goal salvaged a point for Chippenham but Peckham said Mings still gave them a dressing down at the end.

"Adie was looking for a reaction and I think he was quietly pleased,'' he said.

But he still gave us an ear bashing at the end because he wanted to know why we didn't play the whole game like we did in the second."