TWO goals three minutes from time and in the second minute of stoppage time gave the scoreline a flattering look as the Bluebirds moved into the next round of the Red Insure Cup.

However, two goals in the opening 20 minutes had earlier suggested such a result was on the cards, although the game became far more even after the second goal.

The second half actually saw Bridgwater produce half a dozen shots at Kent Kauppinen’s goal before Joe Fitzsimmons headed home fellow substitute Tom Hopkins’s cross.

That appeared to wake Chippenham from their slumber as they doubled the scoreline in those last few minutes.

Bridgwater were forced to play outfield player Josh Wadham in goal after their regular keeper pulled out on the afternoon of the match.

The first chance fell to the hosts after three minutes as Shaun Anthony got between two defenders before firing wide.

Chippenham opened the scoring on nine minutes when James Guthrie intercepted a crossfield ball and played in Ryan Campbell who drew Wadham before placing his shot wide of the advancing stopper and into the net.

Matt Jones’ long-range effort was then held by Wadham and Michael Pook’s 17th-minute corner was headed wide by Mark Preece.

Chippenham doubled their lead on 20 minutes when Jon Beeden’s raking ball found Luke Ballinger out wide on the right and his cross was knocked down by Andy Sandell for Jones to shoot home. A minute later Campbell burst clear but shot straight at Wadham.

On the half hour Bridgwater’s Jamie Adams drove a 25-yard effort wide. Hopkins, who had come on three minutes earlier, rode two tackles before shooting wide on thirty eight minutes.

Two minutes later Ballinger’s inside pass found Guthrie who dragged his shot wide.

Two minutes before the break Guthrie cut in from the right but his shot was held by Wadham. After the break the Bluebirds gave a debut to Harry Grant, signed from Beaconsfield SYCOB.

However, the majority of the second period belonged to the Somerset side. James Byrne shot high on 47 minutes whilst two minutes later former Chippenham trialist Reeko Best saw his shot deflected wide.

On fifty one minutes Sandell headed over a Grant cross whilst at the other end Sam Towler’s low drive was off target.

Just past the hour Best lobbed wide and Byrne shot wide from distance. Fitzsimmons’s shot deflected to Kauppinen before he halved the deficit six minutes from time. Two minutes later Ollie Chamberlain’s cross was headed wide by Best.

This finally stung Chippenham into action and on 87 minutes Sandell wriggled past two defenders before laying the ball to substitute Ashan Holgate to score.

In stoppage time Kauppinen’s long clearance saw Sandell fouled in the area by Wadham. The Bridgwater keeper was shown a red card and Sandell converted the ensuing penalty.

Chippenham: Kauppinen, Ballinger, Bevan (Grant 46), Allen, Beeden, Preece, Pook (Harvey 53), Campbell, Jones, Sandell, Guthrie (Holgate 69).

Subs not used: Taylor, Tindle.

Referee: Andrew Bennett

Attendance: 81