CHIPPENHAM'S four-match winning run came to an end at the in-form Canaries, bt the point kept Mark Collier's Bluebirds in second spot.

After falling behind after just two minutes the Bluebirds can be satisfied with their trip to Hertfordshire.

That said, with the wind behind them after the break the Bluebirds went close on several occasions, but also had to be thankful to Kent Kauppinen for pulling off a fantastic save.

Hitchin took the lead after just two minutes when defender Alasan Ann steered the ball home following a corner.

Chippenham had two chances around the quarter of an hour mark as Alan Griffin first scuffed his shot before firing wide from Andy Sandell’s cross.

At the other end Kauppinen thwarted Matt Lench’s 27th-minute shot.

The Bluebirds equalised three minutes into the second half through Matt Smith, who curled a shot past Charlie Horlock after being played in by James Guthrie, Smith having come on at half-time for Alex Ferguson.

Horlock then saved a Matt Jones shot as well as Andy Sandell’s 56th-minute headed effort at a Chippenham corner.

Kauppinen saved a 70th-minute effort from Jonny McNamara.

A minute later the Bluebirds' custodian pulled off a superb save from an Ann free kick.

Six minutes from time substitute Ryan Campbell chipped over the Hitchin bar.

At the other end McNamara fired past a post on 78 minutes and three minutes from time Kauppinen saved Lench’s header. In stoppage time Griffin’s back header went narrowly wide.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Kent Kauppinen, Luke Ballinger, Harry Grant, Michael Pook, Greg Tindle, Mark Preece, Alex Ferguson (Matt Smith 45), James Guthrie, Alan Griffin, Andy Sandell (Chris Allen 85), Matt Jones (Ryan Campbell 77).

Subs not used: Charlie Norman, Scott Bevan.

Referee: O. Davies.

Attendance: 290