A TENSE local derby played in front of Hardenhuish Park’s largest crowd of the season saw honours end even as the Chippenham Town and Frome Town shared four goals.

An out of sorts Chippenham twice came from behind to move up into fourth place and despite drawing their fifth game in six outings, the Bluebirds can take some consolation as leaders Leamington and Slough Town both suffered defeats.

Frome dominated the opening half as George Miller put an early free kick wide before an eighth minute effort was ruled out for offside.

Former Bluebird, Jon Davies saw his 11th minute free-kick skid through to Darren Chitty, who started the season with the Somerset side, before Miller then saw a shot deflected wide as Frome continued to boss the game.

Not surprisingly, the visitors took the lead on 16 minutes as Jake Jackson rose to head home a Davies free-kick.

Chippenham finally threatened the Frome goal on 24 minutes when keeper Kyle Phillips had to be alert to claim James Guthrie’s free-kick, which was heading for the top corner.

A minute later, the Bluebirds were level as the ball came off a Frome defender before falling to Matt Smith, who fired home against his previous side.

On 32 minutes, a long Andy Sandell throw was headed on to Dave Pratt but his close range header was too close to Phillips.

A minute later, Frome regained the lead as Chitty did well to block a shot from Davies but the ball fell invitingly to Mikey Bryant who made no mistake from inside the area.

In the first minute of stoppage time, the Bluebirds’ goal had a let off as Marcus Mapstone headed a Davies corner against the underside of the crossbar.

After the interval chances were at a premium as Frome looked to protect their lead and hit Chippenham on the break. Just after the hour mark Chippenham had strong claims for a handling offence in the area but nothing was given.

There was no more action until the seventy fourth minute when Alex Ferguson’s shot look destined for the net until it was deflected behind.

From the ensuing Matt Jones corner, the ball drifted across from right to left for Ferguson to fire a low shot home through a crowd of players.

The final action saw Frome substitute, and another former Bluebird, Dean Griffiths’ overhead kick in the 90th minute clear the bar.

Chippenham Town: Chitty, Bowman, Felix, Pook (Mateus 70), Baggridge, Richards, Ferguson, Smith, Pratt, Sandell, Guthrie (Jones 57)

Subs not used: Horgan, Beeden, Rae

Ref: James Vallence – Reading

Att: 553