JACK Pitcher’s goal against his former club means that Chippenham Town will have to make a second attempt to try and get in the hat for the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy on Monday, after they were held at home by Mangotsfield United earlier today.

The Bluebirds created a host of chances but couldn’t get the better of their Evo-Stik League Southern Divison One South and West opponents at Hardenhuish Park.

Chippenham were first to threaten through Ross Stearn, who saw a curling strike beaten away by keeper Danny Greaves with just two minutes on the clock.

Gary Colbourne headed wide for the Mangoes before Iain Harvey drove a powerful effort past the post at the other end.

In the 21st minute, Mangotsfield’s Mitchell Page hit a dipping effort over the bar with the outside of his right foot before Neil Arndale side-footed another effort over from the edge of the box.

As the first half wore on, James Guthrie drew a good save from Greaves with a free-kick and just before the break, Chippenham thought they had taken the lead.

Stearn curled in a corner from the left-hand side, which took a deflection in the box and flew towards the right side of the goal before being blocked on the line.

The Bluebirds players claimed that the ball had crossed the goal line but the match officials weren’t convinced.

Seven minutes into the second period, Chippenham’s Steve Casey rose to meet a Guthrie corner and saw his header plucked away from the top corner by the outstretched hand of keeper Greaves.

Shortly afterwards, Alan Griffin got up well and got a head on Stearn’s free-kick but, despite the keeper being rooted to the spot, his effort flew the wrong side of the post.

Chippenham continued to pile on the pressure from set-pieces and when Guthrie floated another delivery into the area, a raft of blue shirts looked to be queuing up to head in, but somehow the ball again diverted wide of the gaping goal.

Then in the 61st minute, a horror moment for Bluebirds goalie Will Puddy gifted the visitors the lead.

Casey blocked off Mangotsfield striker Tom Knighton and played the ball back to his keeper but as Puddy looked to power a kick up field, a violent bobble saw the ball spin back off his foot.

The chasing Knighton was first to the loose ball and gleefully poked home to give the Mangoes the lead.

Defender Colbourne had a great chance to make it 2-0 shortly afterwards when he found space to meet Harley Purnell’s free-kick but got his finish all wrong.

The Bluebirds went on to punish their opponents just seven minutes on from conceding – Guthrie’s free-kick saw Griffin nod the ball on and draw a save from Greaves.

But the ball broke to Pitcher, who was left with an easy side-foot finish to level the tie.

The former Mangotsfield man had the best chance of a winner in the 81st minute when his pace saw his steal the ball off Alex Hoyle and race towards goal.

With Greaves rushing off his line, Pitcher shot from a tight angle but could only watch as his shot rolled agonisingly across the face of the goalmouth.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Will Puddy, Iain Harvey, Greg Tindle, Ashley Williams, Steve Casey, Nathan Rudge, Aaron Wilson, Ross Stearn, Jack Pitcher (Lewis Powell 87), Alan Griffin, James Guthrie.

Subs not used: Alex Kite, Shaun Lamb.

Attendance: 361