CHIPPENHAM Town duo Mark Cooper and Chris Allen have joined Toolstation League neighbours Melksham Town on a dual-registration loan deal for the season.

Defender Cooper and midfielder Allen were made available for loan by Bluebirds boss Mark Collier at the end of last week as the squad for Chippenham's assault on National League South this season was trimmed, goalkeeper Darren Chitty and midfielder Matt Jones also leaving the club by mutual agreement.

Both Cooper and Allen are available for Melksham Town's opening Toolstation League Premier Division match at home to Cadbury Heath this evening (7.30pm).

Cooper, who signed for Chippenham in May from Weymouth, counts Bristol Rovers and Frome Town among his former clubs, while Allen was previously with Forest Green Rovers, Swindon Town and Bath City and re-signed for Chippenham in August 2015.

Kieran Baggs' Melksham lost their opening match of the season on Saturday when they were ousted from the FA Cup extra preliminary round 2-1 by Horndean.