MARK Collier hopes a weekend of respite from the Southern League Premier Division can help Chippenham Town produce the perfect response to their first defeat of the campaign.

The Bluebirds went down 1-0 to Banbury at Hardenhuish Park on Tuesday night, preventing them from opening the new season with a 10-match unbeaten streak and surrendering top spot in the table in the process.

Chippenham now put the league programme to one side for 10 days as their next task is to try to secure a place in the FA Cup third qualifying round when they host National League South side Poole Town on Saturday.

“We are not used to losing and I said to the players after the game on Tuesday to remember this feeling as it isn’t nice. Hopefully we can respond in the right way on Saturday,” said Collier.

“We have started the season very well but now have a game that’s a bit of a distraction from the league, which is maybe what we need.

“Poole play football in the right way and they have gone about their business very well since being promoted and they will come to Hardenhuish Park as the favourites.

“We have always had competitive games against them in the past and it’s the FA Cup so there will be surprises. As much as in the last round we didn’t want to be one of the shocks, hopefully this weekend we can be.”

Collier felt his side were unlucky to surrender their unblemished record in midweek as the decisive moment came midway through the first half when George Nash got the only goal of the game for Banbury as both teams finished with 10 men.

Banbury skipper Andy Gunn was dismissed following a second caution for a tackle on Dave Pratt, with the Chippenham striker booked his retaliation and then shown a second yellow before the break.

“We have got no divine right to stay unbeaten and I have always said that this is a tough old division to win games and unfortunately when you are chasing the game it makes it even more difficult,” said Collier.

“The first half was a bit messy but once it settled down they really had to batten down the hatches because we played very well.

“We were the better side but when the opposition puts lots of people behind the ball it’s difficult. We were unfortunate not to get something out of the game.

“I am more than happy with the way we went about trying to get a goal back and I’d say that we certainly played better than we did on Saturday when we won 3-2 at St Ives.

“They will be delighted to come to the team that was top of the table and go away with three points, although I think even they’d admit we deserved something but whether that is one point or three, I’m not too sure.”