CHIPPENHAM Town went out of the FA Trophy to Evo-Stik League Southern Central Division side Bedford Town this afternoon.

After a below-par first half, the Bluebirds dominated after the break, but the damage had been done in the opening 45 minutes when Bedford built up a 2-0 lead.

Despite an early second-half goal for Mark Preece, the Bluebirds were unable to pierce a resolute and dogged home defence to force an equaliser.

Jeff Woodward gave Bedford a seventh-minute lead when he converted at the near post. Midway through the half Iain Harvey had to be replaced with a head injury.

Moments later it was 2-0 as Tom Liveredge converted a low penalty into Kent Kauppinen’s left hand corner.

The award seemed rather harsh on the Wiltshire side as Greg Tindle made no movement towards the ball but as it struck his arm the referee decided to award the home side a spot kick which was to prove decisive.

Ten minutes after the break Preece halved the deficit as he scored his first goal in a Bluebird shirt.

Chippenham: Kent Kauppinen, Conor McCormack, Iain Harvey (Michael Pook 18), Matt Coupe, Greg Tindle, Mark Preece, Alex Ferguson, Mark Francis (Luke Ballinger 74), Darren Edwards (Ryan Campbell 56), Jordan Roberts, James Guthrie.

Subs: Jon Beeden, Bryan Smith.

REACTION TO THE BLUEBIRDS' TROPHY DEFEAT LATER AT GAZETTEANDHERALD.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN NEXT WEEK'S GAZETTE & HERALD