MARK Collier was not too deflated after seeing his Chippenham Town side surrender a two-goal lead and have to settle for a 2-2 draw at promotion rivals Leamington on Saturday.

An own goal from Richard Taundry gave the Bluebirds the edge at the break before Alan Griffin doubled the lead just after the hour mark.

Jack Edwards then cut the deficit and Chippenham’s nerves increased when they were reduced to 10 men when Andy Sandell was shown a straight red card for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Taundry picked up a second booking to even out the numbers but Leamington finished the game the better and Edwards’ second four minutes from time ensured it finished all-square.

The point was enough to haul the Bluebirds back into the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division play-off places, and that was enough of a consolation for Collier.

“It was a hard place to go and the weather conditions were very difficult,” said Collier.

“We got ourselves into a two-goal lead and looked quite comfortable. They then got a deflected goal and suddenly it’s 2-1 and they are throwing the kitchen sink at us, which you’d expect them to do.

“You know you are going to be in for a difficult last 20 minutes and credit to them; they have got a fairly decent late goal and then we had to dig in and look after our point.

“I did say to the players before the game, it wouldn’t be the worst scenario to leave with a point. However, once you have got a two-goal lead, you are hopeful you can see it out.

“On reflection, when you get back in the clubhouse afterwards and see that Hungerford, Poole and Weymouth have all lost, you start to think it’s another big point for us.

“We are disappointed we haven’t got three but we’ve got one and it’s onwards and upwards.”

Although both teams had a man sent off, Collier did not think the game as a bad-tempered affair and was happy with the edge shown by his side ahead of the local derby at home to Cirencester Town on Easter Monday.

“I don’t think it was a bad-tempered game. It was a very competitive game,” said Collier.

“Andy Sandell has got a red after having a collision with their goalkeeper, so we will see what the report says on that, and their full-back has been sent off for two yellows.

“Overall, it was just two good sides having a right go at each other and it certainly wouldn’t have been a bad play-off final.

“It’s another point to where we want to be. With six games to go, we’ve gone up a place and we’re still right in the mix and looking forward to Monday.”