CHIPPENHAM Town remain top of the Southern Premier division thanks to a Dave Pratt penalty scored on 63 minutes at Hardenhuish Park yesterday.

Pratt took over the spot kick duties from strike partner Andy Sandell, who failed to come out in the second half after aggravating a groin injury.

The Bluebirds had already lost Alex Ferguson on 34 minutes with a hamstring strain and five minutes into the second period, Gary Horgan was hobbling off with a similar injury.

Yet again the Bluebirds showed determination to record the three points as their visitors put on a tenacious performance, whilst relying on a series of free-kicks.

Joshua Oyinsan, whose physical approach caused problems to the Bluebirds throughout, wasted a good chance on 11 minutes when he headed Danny Talbot’s corner wide. Eight minutes later, Will Richards' header from a Jake Andrews corner landed on the top of the net.

Just before the half-hour mark, Kelvin Bossman should have made more of a free header from Nathan Olukanmi’s cross but his attempt went wide.

Just after the half-hour mark, Sandell had two chances inside a minute, with Jack Smith first saving his shot before Sandell spotted the keeper off his line and was narrowly wide with an attempted lob.

A Dunstable free-kick saw centre back Bradley Hewitt’s header loop into the arms of Darren Chitty, whilst the on-loan Luton Town full-back saw the Chippenham custodian save his low shot.

Three minutes before the interval, Sandell sent Andrews racing into the area but he wanted too long and the ball was taken off him by a recovering defender.

After the break, Richards' header from a corner went over the bar, whilst three minutes later, his strong run out of defence saw him find substitute Joe McClennan out wide, who cut in before curling a left-footed shot wide.

On 57 minutes a 30-yard free-kick from Andrews clipped the Dunstable bar, whilst Matt Smith’s cross was cleared off the line by keeper Smith.

Then came the penalty, when McClennan’s cross was going away from goal but needlessly handled by Olukanmi.

Six minutes later, McClennan’s ball over the top set Andrews one-on-one with Smith but the keeper grabbed the ball off the on-loan Bristol City striker’s toes as he attempted to round him.

In the final minute of normal time, Chitty made a routine save from a Talbot free-kick and four minutes later, good work by Pratt saw him find Andrews close in but his flicked shot was saved on the line by Smith.

Chippenham: Chitty, Bowman, Felix, Horgan (Pook 50), Tindle, Richards, Ferguson (McClennan 34), Smith, Pratt, Sandell (Jones 46), Andrews subs not used: Beeden, Baggridge Ref: Neal Templey – Witney

Att: 379