CHIPPENHAM Town’s winless run in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division stretched to five matches as they were edged out by league leaders Poole Town tonight.

The Bluebirds thought they had rescued a share of the spoils eight minutes from time but after the referee awarded the goal it was wiped out by an assistant flagging for offside.

Poole had the advantage of the slope, with Storm Barney behind them, in the opening period and after Luke Burbidge had blazed over three minutes in, the winning goal was to come seven minutes later.

An intricate midfield passing move saw Jack Dickson burst into the box and play a one-two before slotting home.

Dickson could have doubled the score four minutes later but he headed across the face of goal and narrowly past a post.

The Dolphins’ only other effort of note in the opening half came three minutes before the interval when Steve Devlin dragged his effort wide.

Chippenham had several chances in the opening period, with Andy Sandell's eighth-minute throw ending up beyond the far post, where Matt Smith's shot was blocked.

Matt Jones saw his 39th-minute free-kick bounce awkwardly and Nick Hutchings scrambled it away.

Two minutes later, Mark Collier’s side had appeals for a penalty waved away when Sandell went down in the box.

After the break, Chris Allen's fierce 30-yard drive was just wide whilst three minutes later, a Poole breakaway saw Will Spetch shoot against a post.

Michael Pook's shot then went wide whilst another penalty appeal for handball in the Poole area was also unsuccessful.

Nine minutes from time, a low Jones free-kick was pushed away from a corner. After the disallowed goal, Luke Ballinger's cross was headed over by Sandell before Ballinger fired an effort over.

Dickson curled an effort wide in the 86th minute and just afterwards, Pook's free-kick was fisted away by Hutchings.

In stoppage time, Hutchings held a Sandell header whilst Jones's shot lacked the necessary power to beat the Poole keeper.

Substitute Ryan Campbell saw his 95th-minute shot headed over the bar by a Poole defender as the visitors left Hardenhuish Park with all three points.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Kent Kauppinen, Luke Ballinger, Jon Beeden, Chris Allen (Harry Grant 76), Greg Tindle, Mark Preece, Michael Pook, Matt Smith (Campbell 68), Ashan Holgate, Andy Sandell, Matt Jones.

Subs not used: James Guthrie, Alex Ferguson.

Referee: Dale Wootton

Attendance: 257