CHIPPENHAM Town's promotion hopes were dealt a potentially shattering blow as they went down by a single goal in Berkshire.

The ill-timed slump in form for Mark Collier's side continued as Slough, themselves without a win in seven games, repelled everything the Bluebirds could throw at them to take the three points.

Collier's men are now five points adrift of a play-off spot with just four games remaining, leaving their promotion hopes hanging by a thread.

Chippenham were first to show on three minutes when Alex Ferguson’s cross found Matt Smith but his headed effort was saved by Mark Scott.

Scott then gathered Mark Preece’s header from a Michael Pook corner.

At the other end Charlie Mpi fired over whilst Gurkan Gokmen failed to find the target.

Midway through the half the Bluebirds’ Matt Jones found the back of the net but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Slough took the lead on 33 minutes when Gokemen’s ball over the top found Lee Barney and he lobbed over the on-rushing Kent Kauppinen.

Chippenham tried to level before the break but the Rebels defence held firm with Griffin’s shot just before the break being blocked by a home defender.

At the start of the second half Kauppinen saved a tame effort from Barney.

Mpi then wasted a good chance to increase the lead as the ball bobbled off his shot to Kauppinen.

Ferguson then saw his shot blocked by Tom Williams, whilst Mark Preece shot over the Slough bar from close in and Leigh Henry’s half-volley was saved by Mark Scott.

Slough’s Ryan Harris’ over-head kick was saved by Kauppinen, whilst Barney headed wide from a good position. Scott then did well to deny Harry Grant from close quarters, whilst fellow substitute Chris Allen failed to hit the target from close in after good work by Ferguson.

On 74 minutes Ferguson shot straight at Scott. Ten minutes from time Gokemen shot wide in a rare Sough attack whilst Scott did well to turn aside an effort from Henry.

Scott then saved well from Harry Grant and Jhai Dillon cleared substitute Oli Taylor’s effort off the line. Kauppinen denied Ryan Hope in a late Slough raid.

Two minutes from time substitute Chris Allen received a second yellow card and was subsequently dismissed.

Chippenham: Kauppinen, Fiddes (Allen 53), Henry, Pook (Grant 53), Tindle, Preece, Ferguson, Smith, Griffin (Taylor 71), Sandell, Jones.

Subs not used: Ballinger, Taylor, Whitehead.

Referee: Samuel Lewis.

Attendance: 255