BEN Wood's injury time goal ensured that it finished honours even between west country rivals Chippenham Town and Frome Town at Hardenhuish Park this afternoon.

In a topsy-turvy encounter, Mark Collier's Bluebirds roared back from going a goal down to lead 3-1 before the visitors fought back themselves, eventually earning new manager Adrian Foster a point on his first game in charge of Frome.

Chippenham chief Collier was disappointed by his side inviting pressure on to themselves late in the second period.

“We started poorly, then we had a very good 20 minutes where we got back into the game and had a goal disallowed,” said the Bluebirds boss.

“Half-time came at a bad time for us because we were playing well then but we carried on and got a third.

“Then we had a couple of chances to make it four, where Rob Dean's had a good header saved and Chitty's made a couple more saves.

“But we have to learn to see the game out but we didn't do that. We got deeper and deeper and deeper and ended up being camped on the edge of our box.

“As much as we shout from the dugout to get up the pitch, they haven't done that. It's disappointing that we haven't been brave enough to get on the ball, pass it about and see the whole picture.

“We've given the ball away too many times and if you do that, you have to defend – we've asked them to come on to us and they've taken the opportunities when they've come along.

“Our goalkeeper hasn't had much work to do but he's still picked the ball out of the net three times.

“Three goals at this level should be enough to win a game of football and conceding three goals at home, against one of the – no disrespect - smaller teams, is not good enough.”

New Frome chief Foster was heartened by his new team's derby fightback and also praised new signing Jon Vance, snapped up from his former club Gillingham, who fired home a spectacular second goal for the visitors.

“I was happy with the first 25 minutes because we worked, got on the ball and scored a good goal. But then we went a bit flat and got caught defensively,” said Foster.

“It's your first job and you don't know anyone, so you're going in the dressing room and trying to gee everyone up – I let them know that there was goals in this game but then the third goal goes in.

“When you're 3-1 down, you tend to revert to long ball, and you have to change something. So I brought Jonny Vance on because I know he gets on the ball all the time.

“I think having him on just opened things up and created a bit more space for us. I want to play football and I think having someone like that encourages other people to get on the ball too.

“I felt we looked confident and strong when we scored the third. Coming here and finding yourself 3-1 down but then getting a point is encouraging.

“I've got a decent squad here and a lot to work with. It's going to be hard work but we'll turn it around.”

Chippenham aren't in action this weekend but Frome are at home to Weymouth.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Ben John, Harley Purnell, Pete Monks, Bryan Smith, Aaron Oakley, Greg Tindle, Joe McClennan, Rob Dean, Alan Griffin (c), Lloyd Macklin (Tom Knighton 71), James Guthrie (Jon Beeden 83).

Subs not used: Corey King, Callum Wright, Tyron Leigh.

FROME TOWN: Darren Chitty, Ryan Elliott, Rhys Baggridge, Brandon Mundy (Jack Metcalf 73), Josh Ford (c), Tim Stephenson, Matt Smith (Matt Cowler 73) , Ricky Hulbert, Ben Wood, Matt Groves, Aaron Ledgister (Jon Vance 61).

Subs not used: Will Agbo, Jack Whitcombe.

Attendance: 400

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