MARK Collier and Chippenham Town enjoyed a happy journey back to Wiltshire on Saturday after they flew the coop from Hitchin Town with a well-earned point.

The Bluebirds extended their unbeaten run in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division to five matches following a 1-1 draw away to the Canaries in Hertfordshire, remaining second in the table as they continued to add to their points tally following four wins on the spin.

Collier was also delighted to see his team come back from going behind to a goal from Alasan Ann with just two minutes on the clock, midfielder Matt Smith coming off the bench to curl home the equaliser in the 48th minute.

“I think at the end of the game, we were the happier out of the two teams and we had a good journey back home,” said Collier.

“If someone had said to me a few weeks ago that we’d win four out of five games and draw the other, taking going away to Hitchin into consideration as well, I’d have more than settled for that.

“Hitchin are a good side, who would be right near the top of the table if they won all of their games in hand. They counter-attack particularly well and it’s always a very difficult place to go to.

“They scored from a set-piece early on but Matt Smith has come off the bench at half-time because Fergy (Alex Ferguson) has been struggling with his hamstring a little bit and scored a very good equaliser.

“It was very difficult to produce any real chances of quality in the second half because of the conditions, with the wind swirling from corner flag to corner flag, so we were happy to settle for a draw.

“It’s Cambridge on Tuesday and that’s going to be another particularly difficult game, like they all are in this division, but we’re in good form and long may that continue.”

Alex Ferguson and Andy Sandell ended Saturday’s game with minor hamstring complaints whilst Matt Jones suffered a bruised foot.

Chippenham take on Cambridge City at Hardenhuish Park next Tuesday (kick-off 7.45pm).