A first half strike from Redditch United’s Jimmy Deabill was enough to see Chippenham Town slip to defeat in Worcestershire earlier today.

The Bluebirds dominated possession for large spells but the home side put everything into holding on to their lead and keeping Adie Mings’ side at bay.

Around ten minutes in, Redditch created the first real chance of the match when winger Stuart Hendrie set up Sam Adkins to drill a shot from range over the bar.

Then, with 15 minutes on the clock, the decisive breakthrough came as the hosts’ burly striker Deabill challenged for a long ball in the box.

The ball broke to strike partner Joey Halsall and his knock forward was again met by Deabill, who side-footed into the bottom left-hand corner past a sprawling Tommy Smith.

Soon afterwards, Hendrie broke into the box and evaded a host of challenges but his cutback from the byline was gathered by Smith.

Midway through the half, the Bluebirds' Ashley Williams hit an off-target shot from range but that signalled the visitors’ arrival into the game.

Toby Osman, Alan Griffin and Scott Lye combined to set up James Guthrie but his right-footed shot from the left wing went into the side netting.

Winger Guthrie again had an effort on goal moments later with his weaker foot but this time, his shot swerved the wrong side of the post.

Osman also headed wide from a Lye corner and then on the stroke of half-time, Chippenham came agonisingly close to levelling the scores but were denied by the linesman’s flag.

Iain Harvey played an inch-perfect lob over the Redditch back line and into the path of Griffin, who turned before striking home across the face of goal past United keeper Dean Coleman.

But as soon as the Bluebirds striker took his touch, the assistant’s flag was raised for a marginal offside.

Mings’ men were on the attack from the start of the second period and just a minute in, Luke Gullick headed wide from Guthrie’s free-kick.

Gullick threatened again shortly afterwards when he burst forward from left-back and hit a powerful shot from range but his effort was off-target.

Redditch were struggling to offer much going forward as the half wore on but defending in numbers at the other end helped to frustrate Chippenham.

They did however go close to scoring a second in the closing stages when midfielder Adkins received the ball on the counter-attack and hit a curling left-footed shot towards goal.

But the United man’s spectacular effort was matched by a superb diving save from Bluebirds goalie Smith.

That would go on to be the final real goalscoring opportunity of the match as Chippenham were frustrated.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Tommy Smith, Iain Harvey, Mani Randhawa, Ashley Williams (Ross Stearn 80), Steve Casey, Nathan Rudge, Scott Lye, Toby Osman (Dave Gilroy 85), Luke Gullick, Alan Griffin, James Guthrie.

Subs not used: Alex Kite.

Attendance: 180