A BRACE of penalties from Jake Andrews and a cracker from Dave Pratt saw Chippenham Town extend their unbeaten Southern League run to 20 games against Merthyr Town in front of the largest crowd at Hardenhuish Park this season.

Kicking down the slope in front of 723 spectators,  Chippenham were first to show with Pratt heading over from a seventh-minute Matt Jones free-kick.

Six minutes later, Jones' low snap-shot from 25 yards was saved by Oliver Davies.

Merthyr's first opportunity came on 27 minutes when Darren Chitty dived to save Kayne McLaggan's shot on the turn. It was to be Chitty's last action of the game as he aggravated a back injury and was replaced in goal two minutes later by James Rae.

On 35 minutes, Ian Traylor blasted wide when well-placed, whilst at the other end, a Matt Smith volley went straight at Davies.

Three minutes after the break, Jones' cross was dropped by Davies and from 10 yards out, Pratt thumped a shot into the ground that flew up into the net.

Five minutes later, a Jones corner was met by the head of Will Richards but blocked by the Merthyr defence.

On the hour mark, Alex Ferguson found Pratt and his hooked shot hit the bar. Nine minutes later, McLaggan headed wide for the Welsh side.

On 73 minutes, Andrews was felled just inside the area and referee Bhupinder Gill pointed to the spot and the 20-year-old dusted himself down to despatch the kick himself.

On 84 minutes, Jack Compton gave Merthyr hope when he tapped home a low cross.

However, frayed nerves in the home crowd were finally allayed in the first minute of stoppage time when Pratt was tripped in the area and Andrews again gave Davies no chance from the ensuing penalty.