CHIPPENHAM'S winless streak against Stourbridge was extended to seven matches, but the Bluebirds will feel hard done by as they went down to a controversial penalty and a stoppage time goal.
The Bluebirds were forced to make one change with Dean Griffiths coming in on the right wing to replace Luke Ballinger, who was away playing for the England futsal team in Norway.
And it was Griffiths who was first to show for the Bluebirds when a James Guthrie corner was cleared to him on the edge of the area and his low shot was blocked on the line.
Alex Kite then shot wide while at the other end Marvin Nisbett’s angled shot suffered a similar fate.
Despite the Bluebirds dominating possession it was Stourbridge who conjured up the next chance with Luke Benbow just failing to convert Ben Billingham’s deflected cross.
As the match threatened to boil over a Chippenham throw saw a member of the home management team push his face into Tyrone Mings at a throw in. Mings’ throw was swiftly moved to the right by Scott Lye and Griffiths drove forward before firing past Lewis Solly.
Tempers again flared as Kite went down in a challenge and as play was allowed to continue he received a kick in the head, but referee Craig Taylor, who had already shown yellow cards to Lee Phillips and Mings for far less innocuous challenges, bizarrely decided to have a dropped ball.
Just before the break a Stourbridge corner was only cleared to Billingham whose shot from the edge of the area brought a stunning tip over from John. Lee Phillips spurned two early second half chances for Chippenham before the match went into a lull.
However, a double substitution by the hosts midway through the half soon brought dividends as one of the changes Sean Evans took the ball 50 yards before being challenged by Ashley Williams.
Evans went down despite their appearing to be no contact and referee Taylor pointed to the spot. John got a strong hand to Sean Geddes’ spot kick but could not keep the ball out.
Six minutes from time John made another superb save from Billingham, but it was to prove in vain as the ball broke to Benbow on the edge of the area in the 94th minute and his angled shot gave John no chance.
Chippenham: John, Harris, Mings, Williams, Casey, Kite, Griffiths (Osman 86), Guthrie, Lye, Knighton (Griffin 67), Phillips (Harvey 90) subs not used: Randhawa, Rudge.
Yellow cards - Chippenham: Phillips (foul), Mings (foul); Stourbridge: McCone (foul) Osborne (foul)
Referee: Craig Taylor – Wednesbury
Attendance: 317
REACTION AT GAZETTEANDHERALD.CO.UK/SPORT ON MONDAY AND IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES
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