Chippenham Town suffered an upset at home earlier today as they were outfoxed by struggling local rivals Cirencester Town.

The Bluebirds struggled to find their cutting edge in a game largely void of clear-cut scoring chances and the dogged visitors took advantage in the second half to steal all three points and give their chances of moving off the bottom of the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division a boost.

The visitors did threaten nine minutes in when winger Jon Else’s free-kick was deflected wide of the post but the game quickly descended into a scrappy encounter, with both sides struggling to create any real moments of quality.

Midway through the half, Ciren striker Scott Griffin escaped action for an alleged elbow on Chippenham’s Steve Casey and the home side finally had an effort on goal 41 minutes in.

Scott Lye got to the byline down the left-hand side and arrowed a powerful cross to the feet of Ross Stearn in the box but the winger’s shot, which was hit into the ground, bounced over the bar.

The second period showed no chances of improving as a spectacle but the Bluebirds did fashion a chance again twelve minutes after half-time, with Dave Gilroy firing into the hands of Ciren keeper Mike Hedges after latching on to Iain Harvey’s ball from deep.

As the game wore on, the visitors seemed delighted to have frustrated Chippenham and in the 73rd minute, their mood got even better as they took the lead.

Scott Claridge was played in behind the Bluebirds defence and keeper Tommy Smith dove at his feet and pushed the ball away.

The arriving James Mortimer-Jones had two efforts blocked by the scrambling home defence and the ball was eventually cleared to Griffin, who hit a dipping volley from range that flew over everyone’s heads before nestling in the far corner.

Chippenham were shellshocked and Ciren thought they had gone 2-0 up seven minutes later when Claridge diverted Jamie Dunn’s shot into the net but the midfielder was denied by the offside flag.

Adie Mings’ side launched a desperate attempt to rescue the game and they carved out a glorious chance to equalise three minutes from time.

Stearn floated in a sumptuous cross from the right flank which Griffin arrived unmarked to meet in the six-yard box but his diving header flew agonisingly wide of the target.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Tommy Smith, Iain Harvey, Greg TIndle, Ashley Williams (Luke Gullick 81), Steve Casey, Nathan Rudge, Scott Lye, Ross Stearn, Dave Gilroy, Alan Griffin, James Guthrie.

Subs not used: Richard Evans, Mani Randhawa, Alex Kite.

Attendance: 393