IT WAS honours even at Cirencester Town as the Bluebirds created enough chances to have won the game, but showed good spirit in coming from behind to earn a point.

The Centurions were the first to show when Conor McCormack was caught in possession by Ed Williams and his low shot was well saved by Kent Kauppinen.

Chippenham Town retaliated, with James Guthrie’s shot being blocked by the home defence, whilst at the other end, Ben Wells’ free kick cleared the bar.

Midway through the half, the home side’s Mark Pritchett made a mess of passing the ball back to his own keeper and, as Darren Edwards nipped between the two, his heels were clipped by Pritchett but the offence went unpunished.

Moments later, Edwards’ measured strike was turned over the bar by Glyn Garner and the resulting corner was headed wide by Jon Beeden.

On 28 minutes, a scramble in the visitors' box ended with Kauppinen blocking Jamie Edge’s close-range shot with his body. A minute later Kauppinen again excelled as he made a superb save to deny Pritchett.

Before the break, Guthrie shot over the bar and Luke Ballinger manoeuvred himself a shooting chance but that too was off target.

Chippenham should have taken the lead on 52 minutes when a threaded ball from Edwards left Guthrie with only Garner to beat but he blazed his shot over the bar.

Just before the hour mark, as Chippenham continued to be in the ascendency, a cross from the right saw Ballinger head against the bar.

Cirencester took the lead on 67 minutes when Greg Tindle’s attempt to find touch came up short and Aiden Bennett’s cross was turned into his own net by McCormack.

On 79 minutes, a brilliant run from the touchline by substitute Omar Simpson, saw him pulled back but advantage was played and he dribbled all the way to the six yard box before seeing his shot blocked on the line.

The Bluebirds deservedly equalised two minutes later when Simpson set Jordan Roberts racing into the Cirencester half and his shot was parried by Garner only for substitute George Pawley to fire home from a narrow angle.

In the aftermath of the goal, Cirencester skipper Shayne Anson received a straight red card for kicking the ball at a Chippenham player.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Kent Kauppinen, Conor McCormack, Jon Beeden, Bryan Smith, Greg Tindle, Ellis Dunton, Alex Ferguson (George Pawley 56), Jordan Roberts, Darren Edwards, Luke Ballinger (Omar Simpson 72), James Guthrie.

Subs not used: Callum Wright, Pete Monks,Tyron  Leigh.

Referee: Adam Ricketts (Bristol).

Attendance: 230.

Yellow cards: Dunton (19, foul) Liddiard (90, foul).

Red cards: Anson (81 foul).

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