BEN Mackey's 88th-minute penalty ensured the spoils were shared at Hardenhuish Park - and prompted chaotic scenes both on and off the pitch.

Mackey fired home the spot-kick, controversially awarded by Pewsey referee Matthew Rushton who ruled that Chippenham goalkeeper Ben John had fouled the Saints striker, to earn the visitors a point.

But as he went to retrieve the ball from the back of the net, Mackey and two other St Neots players tangled with John, who was subsequently shoved into the netting. Players from both sides then waded into the fracas, which continued for more than a minute as Rushton battled to restore order.

Players and coaches from both teams, plus a handful of stewards also became involved, while there were also scuffles between supporters on the terracing behind the goal, leaving the home club to conduct a post-match investigation into allegations that punches had been thrown and that players had become involved with spectators.

When the dust settled as much as five minutes later, referee Rushton showed red cards to both Mackey and the home side's defender Alex Kite, although quite how he only singled out two from the melee was something of a mystery.

The fractious finale was a sour end to what had been a well-contested match, although in truth, despite contentious penalty award and substitute Luke Ballinger's magnificent long-range strike under 10 minutes from time, Chippenham would be hard pressed to claim that their visitors didn't deserve a point.

St Neots were the better side for much of the game, especially in the second half when speedy substitute Ade Yusuff caused the Bluebirds constant problems.

Nathan Rudge's home side meanwhile, could reflect on a potentially precious point gained from a match in which they weren't at their best.

The Saints had the early initiative, Jay Davies heading Gavin Hoyte's free kick, but they were caught cold on seven minutes when the Bluebirds scored off their first real attack.

Brandon Barnes, back after his month-long loan spell at Paulton Rovers, swung over a cross from the left which was flicked on by Lee Phillips.

Knighton, lurking at the far post, powered a header goalwards and although goalkeeper Jack Giddens got a strong palm to the ball, it bounced towards the net and, despite being hooked clear, the goals was awarded by the linesman.

Barnes then hit a weak free kick straight at Giddens before visiting striker Stefan Moore was booked for clattering John after the keeper had gathered a through ball.

With the slippery conditions making life difficult for both sides, the Saints continued to threaten, Jordan Gent's header needing to be pushed clear by John just before the midway point of the half.

Knighton fired wide from an offside position before Mackey was crowded out at the other end.

Just after the half hour, Moore was sent through but Ashley Williams got across to deflect his shot wide before Phillips had the final chance of the opening period when he lobbed just wide after Hoyte's weak header.

The introduction of Yusuff made a real difference to the visitors at the start of the second half, although chances were few and far between for the first 15 minutes.

On 63 minutes though, the away side really should have been level.

A rare Chippenham attack was broken up and when Yusuff escaped down the right, his low cross was met by Lewis Hilliard, only for John to produce a brilliant reaction save from point-blank range.

Yusuff then shot weakly at John, but the reprieve for the home side was temporary.

On 67 minutes, John pushed away a Davies effort, but from a resulting corner, Gent rose highest at the far post to nod home a deserved leveller.

At that point, only one side looked likely to go on and win it and St Neots should have been ahead on 80 minutes when Mawefe Nkinga escaped down the left and Yusuff somehow failed to connect with his low cross from six yards out.

Chippenham punished that miss two minutes later in spectacular style. When an initial corner was cleared and Scott Lye's follow-up blocked, the ball fell to Ballinger, who had replaced Dean Griffiths just after the hour, 35 yards out.

The winger took one touch and lashed an unstoppable shot past Giddens to spark delighted home celebrations.

That looked as though it might decide it heading into the dying moments but when Mackey escaped on the right side of the area, John rushed out to meet him and challenged with his feet.

He appeared to send the ball careering off Mackey's shins and behind for a goal kick, but referee Rushton pointed to the spot and Mackey's clinical spot kick preceded the unfortunate events that followed.

There was still time for home substitute Toby Osman to force Giddens into one final save before Rushton's whsitle brought proceedings to an end.

Chippenham Town: Ben John, Adie Harris, Brandon Barnes (Toby Osman 74), Steve Casey (capt), Alex Kite, Dean Griffiths (Luke Ballinger 63), James Guthrie, Scott Lye, Tom Knighton (Alan Griffin 76), Lee Phillips.

Subs not used: Iain Harvey, Nathan Rudge.

St Neots Town: Jack Giddens, Mawefe Nkinga, Ed Adjel, Adrian Sear, Gavin Hoyte, Jordan Gent, Lewis Hilliard, Jay Davies, Stefan Moore (John-Paul Duncliffe 74), Ben Mackey, Dan Jacob (Ade Yusuff 45).

Subs not used: Tom Spark, Michael Duggan (GK).

Referee: Matthew Rushton (Pewsey).

Assistant referees: Daniel Jacecko, Paul Humphrey (Swindon).

Attendance: 317

Yellow cards - Chippenham: none; St Neots: Moore, 14, foul; Davies, 76, foul.

Red cards - Chippenham: Kite; St Neots: Mackey.

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