CHIPPENHAM Town lost 2-1 to Ebbsfleet United in National League South on Saturday.

Despite taking a first-half lead through Brad Ash, Mike Cook’s men ended up on the wrong side of the result against the team they knocked out in FA Cup qualifying just a few weeks ago.

The opening chance fell to the visitors’ Lee Martin in the eighth minute, but it was a comfortable save for Will Puddy in the Chippenham goal.

Two minutes later, the Kent side’s Rakish Bingham fired into the side netting.

Nevertheless, it was Chippenham who opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Ross Stearn’s free kick was only partly cleared and Joe Hanks’ ball back into the box fell to Brad Ash who touched the ball past Tom Hadler.

Seven minutes later, Hadler made what was to prove a crucial save as he superbly denied Ash from point-blank range.

As the Bluebirds continued to make the running, Ryan Brunt’s ball out wide to Stearn saw the latter volley across the face of goal and just past the post.

After the break, Ebbsfleet stepped up a gear with Martin’s shot being stopped on the line by Eddie Jones and Alfie Egan drawing a save from Puddy.

Ebbsfleet id finally level six minutes after the break when Puddy was unable to claim Sefa Kahraman’s corner and Jack Goodman was on hand to tuck home.

Just before the hour mark, Stearn hit a free-kick over the bar while at the other end, Martin similarly failed with a set-piece.

The winning goal came eight minutes from time when Tobi Adebayo-Rowling found Martin in space out wide. His cross was met by Goodman to loop a header over Puddy.

Both sides failed with late chances as six minutes of time were added on after an earlier clash between Puddy and Spencer Hamilton had seen the centre back require attention.

In the Bluebirds’ midweek match away at Oxford City, Mike Cook’s men gained a valuable point after they drew 1-1 away at Oxford City.

The hosts took the lead midway through the first half after Aaron Drewe netted, only for Town’s Adam Mann to calmly dispatch from close range following an excellent cross courtesy of Ross Stearn in the second half.

The result leaves Chippenham down in 16th.