MARK Collier saluted his Chippenham Town's character as they launched an astonishing late fightback to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 triumph and maintain their unbeaten Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division start on Saturday.

After travelling down to St Ives Town in Cambridgeshire, the Bluebirds were two goals adrift and seemingly beaten at the interval, manager Collier making some tactical adjustments as he went all out for the win.

And it paid off for the visitors as three goals in quick succession from the 84th minute secured an amazing three points.

When Alex Ferguson made it 2-1, it looked merely a consolation, but it was then followed up David Pratt’s effort and Chippenham had five minutes to find a winner.

Alan Griffin would be the hero of the day as he found the all-important third goal to snatch three points from St Ives and elongate their unbeaten run to nine games.

“We started the game quite well, they set up with lots of people behind the ball they had five in midfield and just one up front,” said Bluebirds chief Collier.

"They played it well to be honest, they made it difficult for us. Individual errors cost us the first goal to make us 1-0 down.

"We were on the attack and found it difficult to break them down, they then scored a second from a free kick.

"They out-jumped our full back and put the header across goal, we then made some immediate changes.”

However, the manner of the Bluebirds' comeback pleased the manager the most.

“It shows our desire to get three points when it doesn’t look like we’ll get them, the most pleasing thing about it was the character of the players,” he added.

“We kept on working to our own standards, we kept probing away and kept trying no one was hiding, I’m overjoyed with the attitude of the players.

“We are a difficult side to beat, we were 2-0 down it’s a difficult pitch and a ground to play on but full credit to the players, it was admirable to say the least.”