CHIPPENHAM paid the penalty for making a slow start to both halves as they gifted their visitors early goals whilst being guilty of wasting several golden opportunities themselves.

After the returning Charlie Griffin hit an early effort wide, Hitchin took a fortuitous lead on seven minutes when Jon Beeden's goal line clearance cannoned into keeper Kent Kauppinen and rolled back into the net.

Nat Peacock then saw his shot blocked whilst appeals for a handball in the area went unanswered. Michael Pook's interception then inadvertently fell to Peacock who shot wide. Pook's free kick then found its way to Ashan Holgate but his close range effort was blocked.

Chippenham deservedly drew level 10 minutes before the interval when Pook won two tackles before unleashing a thunderous shot past Charlie Horlock.

Hitchin's Matt Lench then somehow escaped a second yellow card, which was to prove decisive as his half-time replacement Saul Williams scored twice in the second period to win the game for Hitchin.

Williams struck two minutes after the break when he latched onto a low through ball to fire past Kauppinen.

Chippenham vainly searched for an equaliser as two Pook corners were met by Mark Preece but the first was just pushed away by Horlock and the second was cleared off the line with Conor McCormack's follow-up effort being blocked.

Referee Gary Parsons then incensed the home crowd as James Guthrie was booked for his first tackle within two minutes of entering the fray. Chippenham were again caught out by a swift Hitchin attack with Williams playing a one two before sliding the ball home.

A Pook free kick then saw Alex Ferguson's header deflected for a corner, before Chippenham pulled a goal back in the third minute of stoppage time when Ferguson tapped home Guthrie's cross.

Chippenham: Kauppinen, McCormack (Campbell 82), Beeden, Roberts, Tindle (Coupe 60), Preece, Ferguson, Pook, Griffin, Holgate, Odam (Guthrie 65).

Subs not used: Smith, Norman.

Referee: Gary Parsons (Lymington)

Attendance: 314