CHIPPENHAN Town's dream of securing National League football is now within touching distance after a resounding victory over third-placed Hitchin.

The match was played out in front of a crowd in excess of 800, with many making the trip from Wiltshire.

The Bluebirds now need one win from their remaining three games to be crowned Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division champions with their first opportunity coming this Easter Saturday when they welcome St Neots to Hardenhuish Park.

However, if Leamington fail to win at Biggleswade Town 24 hours earlier, the title will be Chippenham's.

Whatever the scenario Chippenham are expecting their largest crowd for several seasons when they entertain their Cambridgeshire visitors.

As was the case last week the goal scorers came from unlikely sources as left back Nuno Felix put the Bluebirds ahead on 11 minutes with a low right footed shot that keeper Michael Johnson failed to keep out.

The Bluebirds were then dealt a blow when Andy Sandell hobbled off with an ankle injury that must cast a doubt over his fitness for the remainder of the season.

The second goal came on 29 minutes when the home defence failed to clear a Jake Andrews free kick and the ball found its way to the unmarked Rhys Baggridge who volleyed home, having only scored his maiden Chippenham goal in last week's victory over Biggleswade.

Hitchin had shown why they were third in the table in the opening half as they had the lion's share of possession, but they too often overhit their crosses or failed to get their shots on target.

They halved the arrears just before the interval when Robbie Burns was brought down in the area by Greg Tindle and Will Wright made no mistake with the ensuing penalty.

The next goal was always going to be important and fortunately it went to the Bluebirds as the impressive Will Richards yet again found the net at an important time.

It came on 57 minutes when Hitchin failed to clear another Andrews free kick and Richards executed a superb overhead kick from an acute angle to make the game safe.

Hitchin tried desperately to find a way back but efforts from Brett Donnelly and Matt Lench failed to find the target whilst at the other end Matt Smith's lob beat Johnson but went wide.

Chippenham: Chitty, Bowman, Felix, Baggridge (Horgan 83), Tindle, Richards, Ferguson, Smith, Pratt, Sandell (Guthrie 17), Andrews (Jones 76).

Subs not used: Beeden, Pook.

Referee: J. Few.

Attendance: 812