THE third meeting between these sides in 18 days not surprisingly ended in a draw, a result that saw Chippenham slip to second in the table.

After wasting three golden chances in the opening half the Bluebirds took the lead on 57 minutes, only to be pegged back 13 minutes from time.

Chippenham started the game without any of their four recognised strikers, as Ashan Holgate was suspended and Lee Phillips, Oli Taylor and Andy Sandell were all suffering from injuries, although the latter two came on as late substitutes.

Former Frome player Luke Ballinger, who scored the deciding goal in the recent FA Cup tie between the sides, was also sidelined through injury, as was Michael Pook.

Chippenham were first to show with Matt Jones, playing in midfield rather than full back, saw his effort saved by Darren Chitty. James Guthrie’s low shot then flashed just wide of the far post with Alex Ferguson unable to reach it.

On 16 minutes Ryan Campbell’s 25-yard yard angled shot was just wide. At the other end Joe Tumelty’s touch was held by Kent Kauppinen.

On 32 minutes Jones dribbled through the Robins' defence from within his own half, but with only Chitty to beat his shot was stopped by the keeper’s boot.

Two minutes later Mark Preece’s header following a long throw was fumbled by Chitty but then gathered. Tyler Sibbick then had two chances inside a minute for Frome but was wide on both occasions.

A minute before the break Jones again found himself with only Chitty to beat but lobbed over the bar. In the second minute of stoppage time Chitty was caught out of position but Chris Allen’s shot at the unguarded net flew over the bar.

Chippenham took the lead when a Jones thunderbolt cannoned off the crossbar and the loose ball was fired home by Matt Smith.

Campbell was then just too high with an effort whilst Jones shot over.

A Jones free kick on 75 minutes saw Ferguson direct his header straight at Chitty. Two minutes later Frome equalised when Rob Hobbs headed home substitute Jake Hutchings' cross.

Substitute Sandell almost won the game for the Bluebirds when his crisply hit shot five minutes from time drew a fine reflex save from Chitty.

Chippenham: Kauppinen, McCormack, Bevan, Allen, Tindle, Preece, Ferguson, Smith, Campbell (Taylor 85), Jones, Guthrie (Sandell 70).

Subs not used: Beeden, Harvey, Pook.

Frome: Chitty, Miller (Hutchings 67), Teale, Hobbs, Nkunga, Knowles, Tumelty (Haldane 57), Hulbert R., Sibbick, Monelle, Jefferies D.

Subs not used: Cheeseman, Minis, Jefferies J.

Referee: Christopher Kidd – Bicester

Assistants: Ioannis Chritodoulou – Oxford, Alexander Emery – Oxford

Attemdance: 364