CHIPPENHAM Town failed to take over at the top of the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division as they went down to a goal in each half to a much-changed Kettering Town in front of their largest league crowd of the season so far at Hardenhuish Park this season.

The Bluebirds failed to get the rub of the green in several important decisions, with the match changing after the decisive sending off of Matt Smith on 33 minutes.

As Kettering defender Chris Carruthers tried to shield the ball out for a goal kick, Smith shoved him in the back and the Kettering man collided into advertising hoardings under the noses of the baying away fans, leading to referee Alan Berrow producing a red card.

Kettering had taken a fourth-minute lead as two recent signings from Corby Town combined, with Wilson Carvalho setting up Spencer Weir-Daly to fire past Kent Kauppinen.

Before the break, Alan Griffin twice volleyed over whilst Mark Preece fired wide, and in the second half, Poppies keeper Craig Hill did well to fall on James Guthrie's effort.

Just past the hour mark, Andy Sandell spun in the box but lifted his shot just over the bar.

Griffin fired over on 72 minutes and two minutes later, Hill produced an outstanding one-handed save to claw away a backwards header from Griffin.

As the 10-man Bluebirds continued to dominate, substitute Ollie Taylor found Luke Ballinger, whose near post shot was saved by Hill.

Seven minutes from time Sandell appeared to have equalised but his shot was ruled out for offside.

Kettering's first serious effort of the second half came finally came in the final minute when substitute Elliot Sandy's header hit the inside of a post and rolled across goal into the path of Carvalho, who fired home.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Kent Kauppinen, Luke Ballinger (Jay Malpas 82), Scott Bevan, Chris Allen, Greg Tindle, Mark Preece, Alex Ferguson, Matt Smith, Alan Griffin (Ollie Taylor 77), Andy Sandell, James Guthrie (Ben Whitehead 82).

Subs not used: Matt Jones, Michael Pook.

Attendance: 527