CHIPPENHAM Town survived going a man down as they earned a fine victory over Weymouth Town at Hardenhuish Park on Tuesday night.

After an indifferent first half, the Bluebirds were reduced saw Rhys Baggridge receive a straight red card for kicking out at an opponent early in the second period but the 10 men then upped their game and deservedly finished 2-0 victors to climb two places to third.

Chippenham were first to show on two minutes when Matt Jones' free-kick was heading for the top corner until keeper Tom McHale claimed it.

Three minutes later, the home defence backed off Aaron Rodriguez, but he was unable to take advantage as his shot rolled wide of a post.

McHale then saved a shot from Alex Ferguson whilst midway through the half, Greg Tindle's headed effort from a Jones free-kick was blocked.

Goalmouth action was then at a premium until five minutes before the interval when a Weymouth corner was only cleared as far as former Chippenham loanee Jake Wannell, but his shot went high.

A minute later, Conor Jevon headed wide from a Charlie Davies cross and a minute before the break Darren Chitty held a low shot from Weymouth’s Chris Shephard.

On 51 minutes, Stuart Fleetwood's cross was headed wide by Dean Evans and four minutes later Baggridge was dismissed for retaliating and kicking ex-Frome Town man Evans.

Chippenham's first chance of the second half saw Matt Smith head on to David Pratt but his shot lacked the power to beat McHale

The Bluebirds went on to open the scoring on 76 minutes when substitute James Guthrie found Smith, who fired past McHale.

Weymouth retaliated with a spectacular overhead kick from Evans, which wassaved by Chitty.

The Bluebirds keeper then denied Shephard before the game was wrapped up three minutes from time due to sheer determination from Pratt.

He received the ball from strike partner Andy Sandell and went past three defenders before stretching to poke the ball past McHale.

In 90th minute, Sandell also beat a raft of opponents but his shot went across the face of goal.

Substitute Sam Jordan should have done better for the Terras when he headed wide from a quickly-taken free-kick, which saw the last action of the game.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Darren Chitty, Dan Bowman, Nuno Felix, Gary Horgan, Greg Tindle, Rhys Baggridge, Alex Ferguson, Matt Smith (Michael Pook 90), David Pratt, Andy Sandell, Matt Jones (James Guthrie 71).

Subs not used: Mario Mateus, Jon Beeden, James Rae.

Referee: James Robinson (Southampton)

Attendance: 382