CHIPPENHAM Town moved to within seven points of the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division title as Mark Collier's side extended their unbeaten league run to 22 games with a goal in each half at a blustery Hardenhuish Park.

The crowd of over 600 might have expected the goals to come from the lethal strike partnership of Dave Pratt and Andy Sandell, the latter returning to the side after three games out with injury.

However, as it turned out skipper Greg Tindle hit his first goal of the season and Rhys Baggridge also got on the scoresheet for his first goal in a Bluebirds shirt.

Second-placed Leamington's shock 1-0 home defeat to Frome Town means Collier's men are six points clear at the summit with four games remaining.

Sandell almost scored after just six minutes when his headed effort from a Jake Andrews corner flew over the bar. On 18 minutes a long throw from Sandell was headed on by Will Richards and Andrews was just off target with his headed effort.

The Waders' first threat didn’t materialise until just past the half hour when their skipper Craig Daniel headed a cross wide. Sandell’s 25-yard free kick was then comfortably held by on-loan Luton Town keeper Liam Gooch.

Chippenham opened the scoring five minutes before the break when a Matt Smith free kick from near the left corner flag caused panic in the Waders defence. As a shot was cleared off the line Tindle followed up to force the ball home through a crowd of players.

A minute later Smith headed wide whilst Sandell’s 25-yard swerving shot beat Gooch but also swerved wide.

After the interval the visitors came more into the game as they searched for an equaliser with Daniel spurning two opportunities.

On 63 minutes Darren Chitty made a good save from a Rhys Hoeness free kick, whilst a further Hoeness effort rolled past a post.

Chippenham made the game safe a quarter of an hour from time when Baggridge fired home from an Andrews’ corner.

On 81 minutes Alex Ferguson’s close-range header went straight at Gooch and eight minutes later, Dan Bowman’s shot from a Pratt cross hit the post whilst at the other end Scott Woodward headed over and Daniel shot wide.

Chippenham: Chitty, Bowman, Felix, Baggridge, Tindle, Richards, Ferguson (Horgan 82), Smith (Guthrie 70), Pratt, Sandell (Jones 90), Andrews.

Subs not used: Pook, Rae.

Referee: Dale Wootton (Cheltenham).

Attendance: 633