MARK Collier always believed that the cream would rise to the top and that his Chippenham Town team would get their season back in rude health.

Following their fine start to the campaign, a Red Insure Cup triumph at Bridgwater Town was the Bluebirds’ only win in all competitions October 17 and November 17 but Collier’s troops are alive and kicking once more with four successive victories under their belt.

Chippenham are second in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division table, six points off table-toppers Poole Town, and Collier never lost faith in his charges. We’ve got a lot of experienced players that were playing below-par for a little while but there were no teacups thrown at that time because we knew that the tide would turn if we kept putting in the effort,” said the Bluebirds boss.

“Class is permanent and we knew that we’d get back to where we wanted to be.

“We’re second in the table and we’ve set ourselves up for a great second half of the season. We’ve never been lower than sixth, which is a fantastic effort from 22 games.

“I’ve constantly told the players to not get too high with the highs and not get too low with the lows and I think we’ve kept on a pretty even keel.”

Tuesday’s 1-0 victory at Bideford was preceded by the Bluebirds putting Dunstable Town to the sword at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday.

When Michael Pook’s strike was handled by Danny Talbot, Andy Sandell fired home from the penalty spot before Chippenham doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time as Alex Ferguson’s shot deflected into the net.

Minutes after the break, James Guthrie got on the end of Harry Grant’s delivery to make it 3-0 but Dunstable pulled a goal back when Greg Tindle diverted a cross into his own net.

But there was still time for Chippenham to grab their fourth of the afternoon, Sandell sprinting on to Tindle’s long ball to slot home.