CHIPPENHAM Town failed to overcome the loss of several key personnel as they bowed out of the FA Trophy to a solitary goal scored a quarter of an hour from time.
Ryman Premier Leiston, from Suffolk, looked a tight, compact unit and passed the ball around well, but only managed four shots on target in the whole game.
Chippenham were unlucky in the opening half as they saw two efforts blocked on the line.
On nine minutes Matt Smith’s shot was turned behind for a corner. The resulting flag-kick saw Dave Pratt’s header stopped on the line.
Five minutes later another Smith shot from distance swerved wide. Leiston’s only effort on target in the opening period came on 21 minutes when Matt Blake’s shot from the edge of the area was blocked by James Rae, deputising in goal for the unavailable Darren Chitty.
Just before the half hour Alex Ferguson ran clear but in the act of shooting appeared to be clipped from behind but appeals for a penalty were waved aside.
Two minutes before the break Smith let fly with another effort but it was blocked on the line.
After the break another speculative Smith effort went wide, whilst from a Leiston breakaway Brooks raced clear but shot across goal and wide of the far post.
On 58 minutes Pratt’s low drive from just inside the area was saved by on-loan Ipswich Town keeper James Marsden.
Five minutes later the visiting custodian easily dealt with Ferguson’s looping header.
The all-important goal came on 76 minutes when the home defence failed to pick up Jack Ainsley and his 20-yard shot went across Rae and entered the net via a post.
Chippenham had three chances to take the tie back to Suffolk, as Dan Bowman fired high on 80 minutes.
Five minutes later substitute Ryan Campbell did well to make room for himself but scuffed his eventual shot.
Four minutes from time Pratt set up Ferguson but the ball skewed off the outside of his boot.
Regan Pelling’s shot was turned behind by Rae and fellow substitute Joe Francis saw his shot saved.
Chippenham: Rae, Horgan (Pook 71), Beeden, Allen (Campbell 60), Tindle, Richards, Ferguson, Smith, Pratt, Bowman, Jones (Griffin 71).
Sub not used: McCormack.
Referee: Lee Rutter (Poole).
Attendance: 306
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