MARK Collier admitted he was prepared to partially carry the can for the outcome after watching Chippenham Town lose out 4-1 at home to Welling United in National League South on Saturday.

The manager conceded that his decision not to freshen up his side had probably backfired as they slipped to a second league defeat of the season at Hardenhuish Park.

The Bluebirds trailed to Brendan Kiernan's strike just before the quarter-hour mark but were back on level terms when Karnell Chambers fired home midway through the first half.

But they were undone as a disputed penalty was slotted home by Bradley Goldberg and Thierry Audel added a third for the visitors before the interval.

Kiernan's second in the final 10 minutes wrapped up the result for the visitors, who Collier conceded were good value for their three points.

"In all fairness we started the game and then were a little sloppy and conceded, which put us on the back foot,'' said Collier.

"But fair play to the lads, we got a decent reaction and got an equaliser through Karnell Chambers.

"Then we've conceded two before half-time. We're a little disappointed with the penalty because the lads are thinking it's outside the box.

"Then in the second half they (Welling) have just sat behind the ball really.

"They certainly have got a lot of experience in their team and a lot of know-how and a lot of size and physicality and they fully deserved their win.

"They don't play the most attractive type of football, but what they've got in the ranks is certainly going to have them at the top end of the league this season, I would imagine.

"In saying that, we've under-performed and conceded some sloppy goals and I said to the players that maybe I should carry the can for that.

"I thought seriously about freshening up in certain areas after two games in a week but I rewarded the players with another start and they looked a little tired in all fairness.''

Collier absolved on-loan goalkeeper Will Henry, who joined on a short-term basis from Swindon Town on Thursday, from any blame for the goals let in, but rued the experience the home side were without on the day

"We're disappointed to lose 4-1 at home, of course we are but we came across a very experienced side and we missed (defender) Curtis McDonald - who was at his sister's wedding - without a shadow of a doubt and (goalkeeper) Will Puddy was not available.

"We need to get (striker) Yan Klukowski on the pitch too because they've got experience.''

"Will Puddy has got a little knee injury that he was waiting for a scan on on Monday so we needed to get a keeper in and we managed to get Will (Henry) in.

"He's let in four goals but he's not really done anything wrong, so we move on. He's a good addition to us and a decent replacement for Will Puddy.''

Collier, who also brought in local lad Callum Gunner on loan from Bradford City in midweek, now takes his side to face Truro City - who ground-share with Torquay United - on Tuesday evening.

"They now ground-share with Torquay so that softens the blow (of the journey) a little.

"It (Plainmoor) a lovely ground to go to but it's good that it's come around quickly.''