FOR the second successive match, Chippenham Town let two points slip through their hands as they conceded a late equaliser at Biggleswade Town on Saturday.

The Bluebirds dominated large spells of their trip to Bedfordshire, with the match played in atrocious conditions, and deservedly came back from a goal down to take the lead, only to succumb to a late strike.

The home side were given the ideal start when a Callum Lewis cross from the right skidded off the turf to hit Dan Bowman's arm and up stepped the league's second top-scorer Inih Effiong to beat Darren Chitty from the penalty spot in the third minute.

Much-travelled keeper Ian Brown, so often a thorn in Chippenham's side in the past, then went on to protect his side's lead until the interval.

On 18 minutes, Matt Smith's shot was gathered under the bar and nine minutes later, Brown pulled off a flying save to reach another Smith effort that was destined for the top corner.

Just past the half-hour mark, a goalmouth scramble again saw Brown come to his side's rescue.

On 32 minutes, Andy Sandell's driven cross took Brown out of the equation but Smith's goalbound shot was deflected over the bar by a lunging defender.

Four minutes before the break saw Will Richards' headed effort from a James Guthrie corner narrowly go past a post.

As the half drew to a close, Greg Tindle and Tony Burnett clashed on the halfway line and after consulting his assistant, referee Hallam Cutmore sent both players off.

Two minutes after the interval, Richards again headed fractionally wide from a Guthrie free-kick.

Smith then shot wide whilst at the other end, a rare Biggleswade attack saw Chitty deny Rhys Hoenes.

Just after the hour, another Waders breakaway ended with Chitty coming to the edge of his area, where he was adjudged to have brought down Effiong.

However, the resultant penalty from Effiong was superbly saved by Bluebirds goalie Chitty, his second penalty save in as successive games.

On 68 minutes, Sandell was off-target with a header from substitute Matt Jones' free-kick.

A minute later, Brown again excelled as he pushed Smith's angled shot behind and from the resulting corner, Richards headed wide.

Chippenham's constant pressure finally paid off in the 73rd minute when Richards' low ball into the box saw Dave Pratt turn past his marker before hitting a shot across Brown and into the far corner.

Two minutes later and Chippenham were in front as Jones' ball into the area was stopped by a home defender but the league's top-scorer Sandell slid in to convert from close range.

Biggleswade went in search of an equaliser as Gavin Hoyte's shot from distance skidded through to Chitty.

However, on 89 minutes, Lewis tried his luck from all of 40 yards and his effort flew into the top corner, giving Chitty no chance.

In stoppage time, Jones fired high whilst substitute Gary Horgan's shot was deflected over, leaving Chippenham in third-place in the table.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Darren Chitty, Dan Bowman (Matt Jones 56), Jon Beeden (Nuno Felix 71), Michael Pook, Greg Tindle, Will Richards, Alex Ferguson, Matt Smith, David Pratt, Andy Sandell, James Guthrie (Gary Horgan 56).

Subs not used: James Rae.

Referee: Hallam Cutmore

Attendance: 121