CHIPPENHAM Town maintained their place at the top of the Southern League Premier Division with an emphatic victory over an impressive Chesham side.

A double from Andy Sandell which saw him regain the overall leadership of the Premier Division top scorers chart and a fine goal from Matt Smith saw the Bluebirds take a 3-0 lead shortly into the second half before the Buckinghamshire side pulled a goal back a little under 20 minutes from the end.

As with Saturday's victory at Redditch the only downside was yet another booking for Sandell, who is already due to miss this weekend's match with Kettering and the following game at Kings Langley.

As it was it was the visitors who started on the front front with Stephen Hamilton-Forbes curling a sixth-minute effort wide.

Chippenham replied with two free kicks with James Guthrie's effort rebounding off the defensive wall to keeper Ashlee Jones and Smith's effort was held by the Chesham custodian.

On the quarter hour mark a defensive header fell to Sandell but his shot was blocked.

The Bluebirds opened the scoring on 19 minutes when Nuno Felix's shot appeared to be going wide before Sandell stuck out a foot to divert it past Jones.

On 28 minutes Sandell's shot on the turn went across the face of goal and beyond the far post whilst at the other end Drew Roberts headed wide.

Chippenham doubled their lead five minutes before the interval when Dave Pratt was fouled as he bore down on goal and Sandell converted the resultant penalty.

In stoppage time Roberts' shot was held by Darren Chitty. After the interval Pratt's effort from eight yards out was blocked by a covering defender, whilst Chitty stopped a stinging effort from Ryan Blake.

Chippenham hit their third on 56 minutes when Pratt was fouled on the edge of the area. Sandell rolled the ball square to Smith who smashed home a low shot.

Greg Tindle then saw a header saved at a Bluebird corner whilst Alex Ferguson was off target with a shot. Chesham pulled a goal back on 72 minutes when Adam Martin turned in a cross but they failed to again trouble Chitty for the remainder of the game.

Chippenham: Chitty, Bowman, Felix, Horgan, Tindle, Richards, Ferguson, Smith, Pratt, Sandell, Guthrie (Jones 69).

Subs not used: Beeden, McClennan, Pook, Baggridge.

Referee: Dale Wootton (Cheltenham).

Attendance: 409