CHIPPENHAM Town’s first opening day fixture at Hardenhuish Park since 2009 saw visitors Kings Langley somehow hang on for a draw.

The Bluebirds created a host of chances in both halves and also had three claims for a penalty turned down.

One of those on 35 minutes bizarrely saw referee Stephen Oakey see the handling offence by visiting skipper Stuart Deaton, but he was unsure of the position it took place.

He consulted his assistant who was unable to help him so instead awarded a free kick to the Bluebirds.

By that time Chippenham should have been in front given the number of chances they had created.

Spanish keeper Xavi Comas saved Matt Smith’s volley whilst Andy Sandell’s 35-yard shot was deflected behind.

On 24 minutes Comas came to the edge of his area to clear but could only find Alex Ferguson whose long range shot looked to be heading for goal until covering defender Emmanuel Folarin headed it off the line.

On the half hour mark Sandell picked out Smith at the far post but he wastefully headed wide.

Chippenham had further claims for a penalty turned down on 38 minutes when Sandell went down in the area.

Kings Langley took the lead in time added on for a drinks break when successive mistakes in the Bluebirds' defence allowed Josh Chamberlain to head home Ryan Plowright’s cross.

It was a similar story after the break as Dave Pratt saw two headed efforts saved whilst Sandell’s thunderous shot was pushed out by Comas to Pratt, who looked odds on to score until he was brought to the ground with claims for a penalty again waved away.

The introduction of Alan Griffin had an immediate affect as Comas touched over his headed effort.

Chippenham equalised on 69 minutes with a fine individual goal by Sandell who beat two defenders as he cut inside before unleashing a shot past Comas.

Late efforts saw Griffin head through to Pratt who shot wide from a narrow angle whilst Griffin’s low free kick beat the wall but Comas dived on the ball.

Alex Ferguson’s shot was then blocked by Comas’s arms whilst in stoppage time Sandell’s curled effort was just too high.

Chippenham: Kauppinen, McCormack (Jenkinson 67), Felix, Pook (Griffin 67), Tindle, Richards, Ferguson, Smith, Pratt, Sandell, Guthrie

Subs not used: Jones, Allen, Preece.

Referee: Stephen Oakey (Cheltenham).

Attendance: 366