CHIPPENHAM Town boss Mark Collier shied away from considering the Boxing Day draw at struggling Cirencester Town as two points dropped despite watching his side get pegged back by an old friend in injury time.

Veteran frontman Alan Griffin, who departed Hardenhuish Park earlier this season to play under his brother Charlie, who now bosses the Centurions, tucked away a 91st-minute penalty to ensure honours were shared at the Corinium Stadium.

The visitors, who had trailed 1-0 and 2-1, had fought back to lead 3-2 going into the dying moments but given the nature of the contest, Collier remained in upbeat form when reflecting on his side's final match of 2016.

"When you get so close to winning, there is always a tinge of disappointment but we came back after a horrendous start, having started the game in a sloppy manner,'' said the Bluebirds chief.

"The game lacked a certain quality. It was a derby at quite a high tempo and we couldn't really get our passing game going.''

On-loan Eastleigh striker Tony Lee slotted Ciren in front on four minutes but having missed a couple of earlier chances, Chippenham levelled through James Guthrie's shot from the edge of the area.

Lee restored the lead 30 seconds after the restart when a cross from the left deflected off a Bluebird head and the ball found its way to Lee courtesy of Aidan Bennett, the Cirencester striker scoring with a spectacular overhead kick that looped agonisingly over goalkeeper Darren Chitty.

The introductions of Rhys Baggridge for his debut alongside Mario Mateus midway through the half made a difference for Chippenham and when Alex Ferguson was brought down, Andy Sandell netted his eighth penalty of the season.

Dave Pratt gave them the lead for the first time with 15 minutes to go but Griffin had the final say.

"Our poor start had given them (Ciren) that opportunity but we had a couple of opportunities after that before we did get it to 1-1,'' added Collier.

"Our half-time team talk was 'more of the same' because we knew if we could keep a clean sheet we always think we're going to score.

"But within 25 seconds we were 2-1 down, although it was an unfortunate goal.

"We made the changes and at 3-2 up you'd expect us to see the game out. But they got a bit of a fortuitous penalty - a bit like ours - and Griff has slotted it away.

"We were disappointed to get close to the win, but Cirencester worked their socks off.''