Alan Griffin’s late strike earned Chippenham Town all three points as they claimed a hard-fought victory over a spirited Banbury United this afternoon.

It was the home side who began the game on the front foot and Bluebirds keeper Chris Snoddy had to be vigilant to deny Banbury striker David Stone from point-blank range.

With just six minutes gone, the hosts were ahead when Declan Benjamin drove forward from midfield, before evading a number of challenges and toe-poking the ball into the bottom corner.

Adie Mings’ side looked to recover from their early setback and Griffin brought two good saves out of Joe Murrell in the home goal.

On 18 minutes, the Bluebirds striker finally got the better of the Banbury keeper when his downwards header from Scott Lye’s corner bounced up off the turf and into the top corner to level the scores.

Midway through the half, Murrell showed smart reactions to turn Griffin’s header round the post for a corner before Ollie Stanbridge rocketed a shot into the side-netting at the other end.

The hosts began the second-half with renewed purpose and when a ball over the top of the defence put Stone in the clear, the Banbury frontman could only find the side-netting.

At the other end, James Martin and Griffin combined to set-up Sam Allison but the winger’s short-range effort was saved by Murrell.

Defender Alex Kite followed up but saw his shot blocked on the line, as Banbury survived.

As the half wore on, the hosts piled on the pressure and Chippenham had to throw bodies in the area to repel wave after wave of attack.

Both goalscorer Benjamin and striker David Staff brought smart saves from Snoddy before defender Robbie Maddox almost regained the lead for his side.

Still up in the area after a set-piece, Maddox got on the end of Jack Ashton’s ball into the box, but the Banbury man saw his header sail just over the crossbar.

The Bluebirds hadn’t launched an attack in some time but in the 89th minute, they stole a dramatic winning goal.

Lye’s cross was headed toward the far post by Luke Gullick and Griffin lunged to turn the ball round the woodwork and into the net at the far post.

Banbury hearts were broken but the home side could still have leveled the scores in added time when a mix-up left Benjamin one-on-one but keeper Snoddy saved low with his legs to deny the midfielder.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Chris Snoddy, James Martin, Greg Tindle, Ashley Williams, Steve Casey, Alex Kite, Scott Lye, Luke Gullick, Lee Smith, Alan Griffin, Sam Allison (Lewis Powell 74).

Subs not used: Nathan Rudge, Jack McKenna, James Guthrie, Iain Harvey.

Attendance: 239