MATT Smith's first-half strike was enough for Chippenham Town to see off Cinderford Town and make it 10 points from four games at the start of the new season.

The scoreline suggests a close match at Hardenhuish Park but in truth, the home side should have wrapped this game up long before the end.

Kent Kauppinen did not have to make a single save but a free-kick on the edge of the Chippenham area in the third minute of stoppage time had the large crowd holding its breath until a collective roar greeted the sight of Louis Feeley's effort sailing over the bar.

The decisive goal came on 32 minutes after Dave Pratt had seen two successive shots blocked and the rebound went out wide to Smith, who fired a drive across Ben Fletcher.

The opening half-hour had been a very ragged affair as the Gloucestershire side were content to defend in depth and they frustrated the Bluebirds, who resorted to over-hitting a number of forward passes.

Six minutes after the goal, Pratt found Alex Ferguson and his shot came back off the crossbar to Andy Sandell, whose instinctive header from a yard out went narrowly past the post. Fletcher then palmed away a long-range effort from Smith.

In first half stoppage time, Pratt tapped the ball in from close range but appeared to be harshly denied by an assistant's flag as he looked for his first goal since returning to Hardenhuish Park.

After the break, Cinderford's Jacob Morgan shot against the side netting, Sandell's free-kick went just over the top and Michael Pook shot narrowly wide.

Smith was then just wide with a shot, whilst Pratt's close-range effort was blocked. Fletcher held on to Will Richards's header at a corner, whilst another Smith shot was blocked by the keeper's body.

The win sees Chippenham up to second in the table and on Saturday they host leaders Leamington.

Chippenham Town: Kauppinen, McCormack (Preece 90), Felix, Pook, Tindle, Richards, Ferguson, Smith, Pratt, Sandell (Griffin 83), Jenkinson (Jones 78). Subs not used: Allen, Campbell

Referee: Christopher Wicks (Reading)

Attendance: 372