CHIPPENHAM Town lost their unbeaten record to a physical Hungerford Town side who scored the decisive goal 10 minutes from time.

Chippenham started without four regulars, including Alex Ferguson who was ill and injury victims Greg Tindle and Andy Sandell.

But the Bluebirds were first to show with Ashan Holgate’s shot deflecting straight to Hungerford keeper Paul Strudley.

Hungerford’s Scott Rees fired over the bar whilst Mark Preece charged down Matt Collins’s effort.

As the home side continued to press Nat Jarvis headed over a cross from Diak John.

After the interval debutant Louis Parry saw his 61st-minute shot blocked whilst former Bluebird Matt Day’s header flashed across goal. Day then shot wide from distance and Matt Smith’s 30-yard shot for Chippenham then drew a diving save from Strudley.

Another former Bluebird Gary Horgan then hit the post with a 25 yard drive. Strudley was then fortunate to stop another Smith pile driver with his body.

The decisive goal came on 80 minutes when skipper for the day Preece seemed unfortunate to be penalised for a free kick and pick up a booking.

From the free kick the ball was swept out wide to the left where Luke Ballinger blocked it but as he was grounded the loose ball was whipped over and substitute Alan O’Brien thumped home from inside the area.

Two late free kicks from Michael Pook saw both Conor McCormack and Preece fail to get their headers on target.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time Chippenham keeper Kent Kauppinen came up for a corner and headed wide.

Chippenham: Kent Kauppinen, Luke Ballinger, Matt Jones (Scott Bevan 90), Michael Pook, Conor McCormack, Mark Preece, Ryan Campbell, Matt Smith, Ashan Holgate, Lewis Parry (Lee Phillips 78), James Guthrie.

Subs not used: Iain Harvey, Alex Ferguson.

Referee: Adrian Tranter.

Attendance: 231