CHIPPENHAM Town paid the price for missing three good chances as they slipped to defeat at Merthyr Town last night.

Mark Collier's side were chasing the game as early as the 19th minute and conceded a second with the last kick of the match after keeper Kent Kauppinen was punished for playing on the halfway line.

The Bluebirds started brightly enough but were given two warning shots as Corey Jenkins hit the side netting and Kayne McLaggon failed to capitalise on a goalmouth scramble.

Merthyr took the lead when Chippenham failed to cut out a right-wing cross, leaving Ian Traylor to fire home from a central position.

The Bluebirds suffered another blow just past the half-hour mark when Chris Allen had to leave the field with a hamstring injury.

James Guthrie had two chances in as many minutes, first shooting over before seeing his curling free-kick tipped away by Glyn Garner.

However, the best chance of the half fell to Ollie Taylor, who turned his man on the edge of the area before his low shot beat Garner but rolled against a post and bounced harmlessly away.

Before the break, Merthyr's Keyon Reffell and McLaggon both failed to find the target and after the interval, McLaggon flicked the ball into the side netting and Jarrad Wright's shot was deflected behind.

Midway through the half, Taylor again wasted a good opportunity when he blazed over from the edge of the box. Jenkins then headed over from a Scott Tancock cross.

Chippenham's best chance of the game fell to Greg Tindle 10 minutes from time when a set-piece led to him hitting the bar from six yards out as the ball unfortunately fell to his weaker right foot.

As the match reached stoppage time, Kauppinen joined the attack for a corner and also played a high line to aid Chippenham's attacking options.

Unfortunately, he was caught out in the 93rd minute by substitute Ryan Prosser, who sent a 40- yard shot over his head and into the empty net with the last kick of the game.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Kent Kauppinen, Luke Ballinger, Scott Bevan (Alan Griffin 74), Chris Allen (Michael Pook 27), Greg Tindle, Mark Preece, Alex Ferguson, Jay Malpas, Ollie Taylor, Ben Whitehead (Matt Jones 59), James Guthrie.

Subs not used: Harry Grant, Ryan Campbell.

Referee: Kev Morris

Attendance: 302