CHIPPENHAM Town chief Mark Collier labelled his side’s draw at Weymouth on Tuesday night as a well-earned point as they continued their impressive start to the new season.

The Bluebirds were forced to come from behind at the Bob Lucas Stadium, while they also finished the game with 10 men as Connor McCormack was sent off in the closing stages.

“It’s a good point on the road. When you go to one of the teams you expect to be one of your rivals come the end of the season it’s a good result if you can come away having avoided defeat,” said Collier.

“Our performance was very good, we certainly didn’t play like the away team.

“It’s an intimidating place to go as they have quite a vocal support and get on at the referee over his decisions.”

Town almost took a first-minute lead as Olly Taylor’s header from a Chris Allen free-kick flashed past a post, while Mark Molesey’s shot lacked the power to beat Kent Kauppinen at the other end.

The hosts got themselves ahead after 15 minutes when the ball was cleared upfield for Dean Evans to cross for Ben Thomson to head home.

However, Chippenham were level a minute before the break when Jason Matthews fumbled Luke Ballinger’s cross and Taylor was on hand to turn the ball home.

An exquisite headed flick by Ashan Holgate drew a superb save from Matthews early in the second half, while substitute Ryan Campbell was soon in action as a stinging shot was turned wide by Matthews.

Evans wasted Weymouth’s best chance of the half when he headed wide with the goal beckoning, while Taylor saw an effort deflected wide at the other end.

Greg Tindle thought he had won the game for Town with eight minutes to go when his header from a corner found the net, only to be chalked off by the officials.

The visitors would finish the game a man light, though, with McCormack dismissed for pushing an opponent after Matt Smith had been felled.

Collier added: “We started well and although we did go a goal down we showed great resolve to equalise just before half-time.

“We had chances to go on and win in the second half and with about 15 or 20 minutes to Greg Tindle had a header ruled out as the referee said he saw pushing in the box. I think there’s pushing in the box at every set-piece but some of them you get and some you don’t.”

The draw increased Chippenham’s lead at the summit to two points after second-placed Cirencester Town were beaten away at Stratford Town.

Collier’s men were also 1-0 winners over visiting Merthyr Town at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday and he was delighted with their week’s work.

It also sets them up nicely for Saturday’s FA Cup second qualifying round clash away at Bradford Town, who play two divisions lower in the Toolstation Premier.

Collier said: “We set ourselves the target this week of trying to get six points and if we couldn’t do that get four and still be top of the league going into FA Cup week and we’ve done that.”