CHIPPENHAM Town boss Mark Collier was happy to come away with a point after a below-par showing against Stratford.

The Bluebirds had to settle for a 1-1 draw, despite Ashan Holgate giving the visitors the perfect start in the first minute of the game.

With Weymouth slipping to a 1-0 defeat at home to Biggleswade, the point was enough to lift Chippenham to third in the Southern League Premier Division table and Collier was happy to look at the bigger picture.

“We certainly weren’t at our best, it was a difficult pitch to play on,’’ he said.

“We got the perfect start with a decent Ashan Holgate goal and then unfortunately Ashan has missed a golden opportunity to put us two up, which could have put the game to bed.

“They have gone down the other end five minutes later and scored and then it was quite an even contest.

“I was quite impressed by them. They are quite direct, even though they do play some decent football.

“The lads are disappointed that they haven’t won the game, but I think this is the type of place you have got to grind it out and be resolute and we have done that.

“Come the end of the season, I don’t think it is going to be a bad point.”

Chippenham made the ideal start just after the opening minute as new permanent signing Chris Allen launched the ball forward, forcing home keeper Andy Kemp to come out of his area to head the ball away under pressure from Andy Sandell.

The clearance only went as far as Ashan Holgate who hit the ball past the stranded keeper.

However, the hosts were level before the break as Alex Ferguson’s mis-timed tackle earned him a booking and from the free kick Edwin Akenkorah equalised.

Chippenham pushed for the win at the end with Oli Taylor going closest in the 88th minute with his header but Collier had to settle for the draw.

“We thought when we got in advanced areas that we would push some players on, but we were also mindful that the Southern League were kind enough to give us a point before we got here and we would like to try and keep it,” added Collier.

“It’s an away point. There are lots of teams that would like one today and we got one.

“We now look forward to Tuesday.”