CHIPPENHAM Town manager Mark Collier reckons that his side's victory over Bashley on Saturday afternoon saw off any lingering relegation worries for the Bluebirds.

Chippenham set the record straight after their disappointing defeat at the New Forest strugglers earlier this month as they ran out 2-0 winners at Hardenhuish Park.

Second-half goals from James Guthrie and Alan Griffin saw off Bashley, leaving Collier's men 18 points clear of the bottom three in the Southern League Premier Division.

“The pitch wasn't great for the way we wanted to play the game. We knew they'd make it difficult and try and get people behind the ball to frustrate, which they did well in the first half,” said the Chippenham chief.

“At half-time, we said that needed to be patient and perhaps up the tempo, which we did, and once we did that, we created chances – we could have scored five or six.

“They almost parked the bus in the first half but we thought that once we got one, they'd have to come out and play.

“As it was, we managed to do so and we got Joe McClennan in an advanced area, where he was always a threat.

“In the end, it's a well-deserved three points and the only disappointment is that we haven't scored more.

“We wanted to be nice and professional. There was a bit of pressure on us because although it wasn't a game we had to win, it was a game we wanted to win.

“It puts them a long way below us now and hopefully eases any relegation thoughts that anyone may have had.”

The Bluebirds face up to a completely different kind of challenge next Tuesday evening as they make the trip to runaway league leaders Hemel Hempstead Town.

Collier added: “They're well clear in the division and they had another fantastic win on Saturday – maybe we'll have to got there and park the bus on Tuesday night.

“We'll look after ourselves and we shouldn't have any fear going there. We'll go there as big underdogs but we'll just see what happens.”