DEPLETED Chippenham Town suffered a heavy defeat against second-in-the-table Dunstable Town today.

Still without long term injury victims captain Mark Coupe, Lee Phillips and Alan Griffin, the Bluebirds gave a debut to former Gloucester City, Forest Green Rovers and Mansfield centre-back Mark Preece.

However, the second in the table Bedfordshire side made it five home league wins in six as they cruised to victory over the Bluebirdsn with a slick passing game, hitting three first half goals and a fourth just after the hour mark before substitute Toby Osman pulled a goal back.

A fifth Dunstable goal ensured Chippenham suffered their biggest defeat this season to date.

Chippenham failed to get a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes while the hosts' shoot-on-sight tactics paid dividends.

The Blues opened the scoring on 17 minutes when a cross from the right was turned in by Chris Marsh.

Former Spurs player David Hutton extended the lead just before the half hour mark when he finished off a neat passing move.

In the final minute of the half Chippenham lost possession in midfield and paid the penalty as another cross from the right saw England C international Charlie Henry slot home a third.

Dunstable hit a fourth through Marsh before Osman headed home a 68th-minute free kick.

Adam Watkins completed the scoring for the home side a quarter of an hour from time.

Chippenham: Kent Kauppinen, Conor McCormack (Toby Osman 61), Jon Beeden, Bryan Smith, Mark Preece, Greg Tindle, Alex Ferguson (Omar Simpson 73), Jordan Roberts, Darren Edwards (Luke Ballinger 67), Michael Pook, James Guthrie.

Subs not used: Matt Jones, Callum Wright

Att: 128

REACTION TO THE BLUEBIRDS' DEFEAT AT GAZETTEANDHERALD.CO.UK/SPORT AND WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN NEXT WEEK'S PAPERS