MARK Collier reckons Chippenham Town were worth at least a point during their frustrating 1-0 defeat at home to St Neots Town.

Drew Roberts’ penalty after 13 minutes was enough for the visitors at Hardenhuish Park, with the striker beating Kent Kauppinen from the spot after David Hutton had been fouled in the box.

The Bluebirds’ cause was not helped by a series of questionable decisions from referee Mark Russell after the break, the most controversial of which saw keeper Kauppinen sent off.

Roberts ran through on goal from an offside position only to be blocked by the onrushing Kauppinen, who was shown a straight red card for the offence.

“The sending off was a confusing one as their striker came from an offside position to get the ball,” lamented Collier.

“Everyone thought the linesman put his flag up for offside but then Kent was sent off.

“It was disappointing and I spoke to the referee afterwards. He said he didn’t give an offside because the flag wasn’t for that.”

The defeat ends a run of five consecutive draws for the Bluebirds stretching back to mid-November.

Collier thinks only a missing spark in front of goal cost Chippenham against a St Neots side who moved within two points of top spot courtesy of the win.

“I thought we played well and we were certainly worth a draw,” added Collier.

“To put in an effort like that against a team who by all accounts have one of the biggest budgets in the league and not get a result smacks a bit.

“We started quite well and had a couple of decent chances which we didn’t take.

“They then scored the penalty but from there we were on the front foot for pretty much the rest of the game.

“We had a few chances to get back into it but nothing really golden. I think we’re just missing that bit of quality in the final third at the minute.”