CHIPPENHAM Town chief Mark Collier paid tribute to his squad’s strength in depth as they bounced back to winning ways at the first attempt with a hard-fought victory at Kettering Town on Tuesday.

Heading in to a second successive away trip, boss Collier could have been forgiven for succumbing to apprehension as he was without the injured Luke Ballinger, Lee Phillips and Oli Taylor, with Conor McCormack also suspended.

Iain Harvey and Jon Beeden, who recently rejected an approach from rivals Frome Town, came into Chippenham’s line-up whilst midfielder Matt Smith filled in at right full-back and striker Ashan Holgate returned from suspension.

Despite the upheaval, Collier’s men claimed all three points at Latimer Park, with Greg Tindle poking home James Guthrie’s free-kick late in the first period before Andy Sandell fired in his eighth goal of the season after the break.

Dubi Ogbonna finished off a flowing team move as the Poppies pulled a goal back in the 74th minute but the Bluebirds held on to move back up to second in the table.

“After King’s Lynn on Saturday, it was a tough ask to go on another away trip to a difficult place – it’s a decent ground and it’s quite salubrious,” said Collier.

“Due to injuries and suspensions, we had to make a lot of changes but there were some superb performances there.

“Iain Harvey came in for his first start of the season and Jon Beeden played his first full game.

“Jon has been unlucky because we went with Matt Jones at the start of the season and then he went away on holiday at a time when he could have come into the team but he’s kept his head down and worked hard.”

Striker Taylor could return for this Saturday’s FA Cup third qualifying round trip to Central Division Uxbridge but Ballinger and Phillips remain doubts whilst McCormack is still suspended.

Collier added: “We’re told that they’re better than their league position - you don’t beat Dartford 1-0 (in the previous round) if you’re not a good side.

“They’ll be looking forward to playing us and we’re looking forward to playing them.”