FOR the fifth successive match, Chippenham Town played out a draw and, as had happened 48 hours earlier in Cambridgeshire, they failed to build on a first-half lead and their opponents hit back in the second half.

Chippenham were forced to make two changes as Luke Ballinger and Michael Pook replaced the injured duo of Conor McCormack and Jordan Roberts.

The match also marked the 300th appearance in a Bluebird shirt for Iain Harvey when he came on as a substitute in the second half.

Chippenham opened brightly and, after Mark Francis was thwarted by Hitchin skipper Alasan Ann, the Bluebirds took the lead on nine minutes when Francis’s low cross was turned in by Alan Griffin.

The half then became more even, with chances going begging at both ends.

James Guthrie almost doubled the advantage when his dipping shot just cleared the bar, whilst Pook’s cross was headed narrowly wide by Mark Preece.

For Hitchin, Johnny McNamara failed with two efforts, the latter hitting the side netting. Brett Donnelly also headed over the bar for the Canaries as well as seeing a shot blocked.

But the hosts drew level seven minutes after the break when Donnelly combined with Nat Peacock for McNamara to hit a shot across Kent Kauppinen.

Moments later,Kauppinen saved Chippenham when he came out to thwart Matt Lench.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Kent Kauppinen, Luke Ballinger, Jon Beeden, Bryam Smith, Greg Tindle, Mark Preece, Alex Ferguson (Iain Harvey 77), Mark Francis Darren Edwards 67), Alan Griffin, Michael Pook, James Guthrie.

Subs not used: Toby Osman, Ryan Campbell.

HITCHIN TOWN: Charlie Horlock, Lewis Rolfe, David Corran, Alasan Ann, Dan Webb, Sam Barker, Johnny McNamara, Matt Lench (Isaac Galliford 67), Brett Donnelly, Nat Peacock, Ian Rees.

Subs not used: Simon Martin, Lucas Kirkpatrick, Dan Green, Jack Waldren.

Referee: S. Finch.

Assistants: D. O’Sullivan, I. Jones-Eyre.

Attendance: 201.

Yellow cards: Hitchin - McNamara (foul 80)