CHIPPENHAM Town’s return to action in the Southern League Premier Division this afternoon was curtailed by a serious injury to Chesham United’s Bruce Wilson.

Mark Collier’s side were playing for the first time since their loss at Cinderford Town on November 22 but their clash with Chesham was brought to a premature end just a few minutes into the second period when the Generals’ captain suffered a suspected double leg-break.

The 32-year-old landed awkwardly after challenging for the ball in the air and had to be taken to hospital by the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

The hosts were without Nuno Felix, Chris Allen and Ryan Campbell, who were instead featuring for the Bluebirds’ stablemates Chippenham Park in the Toolstation League in a bid to get minutes under their respective belts.

With 10 minutes on the clock, full-back Dan Bowman’s low cross caused chaos in the Chesham area, with former Premier League defender Darren Purse forced to awkwardly knee the ball over his own crossbar, with Chippenham’s Will Richards heading just wide from the resultant corner-kick.

Collier’s men had a penalty shout turned down when Matt Smith tumbled theatrically over the challenge of Bruce Wilson but for long spells after that, the two well-matched sides largely cancelled each other out.

The Bluebirds’ Smith burst into life in the closing stages of the first period when he strode forward on the counter and smartly jinked past two opponents but when the midfielder took aim on the edge of the Chesham box, he scuffed his strike horribly wide.

Shortly afterwards, Smith also drove into the area attempted to turn provider for David Pratt with a low cross but the Chippenham striker couldn’t turn the ball goalwards and visiting keeper Ashlee Jones was able to gather.

The Generals would also fashion an opportunity right before half-time as Drew Roberts found space to try his luck on the volley at the back post but his strike flew over the bar.

However, just a few moments into the second period, the afternoon came to an agonising end for Chesham captain Wilson, who landed awkwardly after challenging in the air and was clearly in immediate distress.

Groundstaff were forced to spring into action and an ambulance was called for the stricken United defender, and following a lengthy delay of around 15 minutes, the contest was brought to an end by the match officials.

Paramedics arrived at Hardenhuish Park around five minutes later and Wilson was eventually taken to hospital by the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Darren Chitty, Dan Bowman, Jon Beeden, Michael Pook, Greg Tindle (C), Will Richards, Alex Ferguson, Matt Smith, David Pratt, Andy Sandell, James Guthrie.

Subs not used: Mario Mateus, Gary Horgan, Matt Jones, James Rae.