CHIPPENHAM Town conceded a 93rd minute equaliser at home to top-10 rivals Eastbourne Borough in the National League South on Saturday.

After Dan Griffiths had poked the Bluebirds in front during the 75th minute, the Sports set about salvaging a point which they duly found via a superb strike from Dom Hutchinson deep into added time.

A point apiece ensured Chippenham remained in ninth and kept Eastbourne one place above them in the standings.

While Bluebirds manager Mike Cook suggested the scoreline was a fair result, the Chippenham boss felt the unlikely manner of the late goal was the most difficult aspect to take.

Reflecting on the 1-1 draw, Cook said: “I think we had the best of the game in the first half because we had the wind, and then they had slightly the better of it in the second half – although, they didn’t create as many chances as we did.

“The frustrating thing from our point of view is that we highlighted their scorer in all of our meetings.

“Spencer Hamilton played really well against him for most of the game, but to be fair, it was a wonder-strike from the lad.

“They’ve hit the bar, it came back out, and he’s taken it early – the shot went straight into the top corner.

“It might have been a bit better if it had happened five minutes before that, but when they score in the 93rd minute, there’s not much you can do.”

Cook said it was difficult to criticise his team too much last weekend as their home form continues to improve, and Chippenham remain an entertaining team to watch.

The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium will host yet another home game on Saturday – its third in the past four weekends – as Chippenham welcome struggling Hampton & Richmond Borough to Wiltshire.

Chippenham are strong favourites for the contest with Borough having lost each of their last four and Cook’s men improving on home soil all the time.

Previewing the National League South game, Cook said: “Hampton & Richmond look a little bit short on confidence, and we seem to have turned it around a little bit at home.

“We seem to be playing a bit better at home than what we were away. In the early part of the season, we were losing home games comfortably.

“To turn that around recently has been great to see. You’d have to say this is a game where we should take the points, with a bit of luck.”