CHIPPENHAM Town are through to the FA Cup first round proper for only the third time in their history after a no-nonsense performance saw them defeat Whyteleaf 3-0 to book their place in Monday’s draw.

Goals from Karnell Chambers, Kieran Parselle and Rhys Tyler secured the Bluebirds’ spot in the first round proper for the third time – the previous two coming in 1951 and 2005.

There was to be none of the drama that had featured in Chippenham’s previous rounds as Chambers fired the visitors ahead before Parselle headed home from a corner in the first half.

Tyler’s goal made sure early on in the second 45, and a proud manager expressed how professional his side were in a potential ‘banana skin’ of a cup tie against a side that were two divisions below.

Collier said: “The pitch was very difficult – it was a very old 3G pitch, the surface was very poor, and they had a lot of size about them.

“It was a no-win situation for us because we were expected to win, we were expected to go there and get the job done.

“It was a free hit for them being that they were a couple of leagues down, and we knew it was going to be difficult.

“It was a potential banana skin, but we’ve jumped over it and moved on.

“We knew it would be quite a difficult game, but we produced a thoroughly professional performance.

“3-0, a clean sheet and we’re in the next round, so I’m very pleased.”

Monday’s first-round draw could see the Bluebirds face Richie Wellens’ Swindon Town, and while the Chippenham manager admitted he did not mind who his side faced, Collier just hopes his team can keep the momentum going for the time being.

Chippenham are now nine games unbeaten and Collier said all the credit must go to the players for their hard work and application during that time.

He said: “From the club’s point of view, qualifying for the first round is a huge financial reward.

“It’s £18,000 just for winning today, plus the rewards it can bring along the way. So we’re particularly pleased about that, and the players deserve it too.

“We dragged ourselves to victory against Cirencester, we had the heartache of conceding a late equaliser against Slough, but we’ve produced a professional performance on a difficult pitch and it’s job done.

“We look forward to the draw now and it keeps the momentum going.”