CHIPPENHAM Town have proved they are good enough to compete with the league’s elite after suffering a late defeat at the hands of Corby Town.

Mark Collier’s side let a lead slip as they fell away to a side that are sitting fourth in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division but their performance pleased the Hardenhuish Park boss.

“It was a very good away performance for us, I know we lost the game but the performance level, I was very pleased with it,” said Collier.

“It was hard for us to take on the back of a good performance.

“There were two or three little differences.

“I said to the lads that is how close we are to being a top five or six team.

“We’ve done particularly well against the top sides.

“Corby undoubtedly have a big budget and have signed three or four players this week from higher league clubs to try and push on in their promotion bid and they are obviously a decent side.

“We matched them and by their own manager’s admission we were unlucky not to come away with something.”

Alex Ferguson gave the visitors the lead five minutes into the second half but the hosts were back level ten minutes later when Spencer Weir-Daley scored with help from the post.

Jack Odam nearly restored the lead for Chippenham before Corby secured the victory through a controversial penalty.

Claudio Hoban was upended on the edge of the box and while the linesman flagged for a foul he did not signal for a penalty.

After several minutes of discussion, the referee finally pointed to the spot and Greg Mills converted to send Collier’s side home empty handed.

“They got quite a fortuitous little touch in the box to get an equaliser and got a disputed late penalty in the 87th or 88th minute which is hard to take and a bitter pill to swallow after the performance,” he added.

“One issue was if the ball was off the pitch when the little coming together happened. The referee was in a great position and didn’t give it, but the linesman gave it so there was lots of confusion.

“The referee and the linesman had a long conversation surrounded by players and I think as an away team we would never have got a penalty but the home team with the crowd camped behind the goal were always going to be the favourite to get it.”

Chippenham are back at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday as they entertain fellow mid-table side Slough Town.