MARK Collier rued Chippenham Town's failure to take their chances as their Bank Holiday Monday trip to Hampton & Richmond Borough ended in a 2-1 defeat.

The Bluebirds failed to make the most of their first-half ascendancy as they passed up several opportunities to take the lead at the Beveree Stadium and paid the price in the second period as the Beavers took their own unbeaten run to four matches.

Town had stunned leaders Billericay Town 2-0 at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday but were unable to follow up as injuries bit into Collier's squad for the trip to Middlesex.

However, it was his side's profligacy in front of goal that left the manager disappointed as Chippenham's up-and-down start to the National League South campaign continued.

Tyrell Miller-Rodney fired the hosts into the lead from a rebound after Town keeper Will Henry had saved and Chris Dickson doubled the advantage from long range.

Nat Jarvis pulled a goal back in the dying moments but it was too late for the visitors.

"Inconsistency is the word, but it's a difficult one because we were dominant in the first half,'' said Collier.

"We created four or five very good chances and were a little bit wasteful.

"Half-time came at a bad time because we were dominant and there was only ever one team going to win the game.

"In the second half, they (Hampton) have changed their system around and come out quite positive.

"Will Henry has made a decent save and then they got quite a fortuitous goal.

"While we were making a change they got the second goal, then Josh Smile was on for about 30 seconds and we had to take him off because he had a cut on his eye.

"We still continued to create good chances, Nick McCootie had one and Karnell Chambers before we got a late goal through Nat Jarvis.

"When you are playing well and creating chances you have got to take those chances or sometimes it comes back to haunt you.

It's disappointing because we played well enough to win the game, but the score tells us we've lost. That's the bottom line.''

Collier admitted his squad options had been reduced by injury, a situation he hopes will be rectified somewhat for Saturday's visit to Wiltshire by high-flyers Concord Rangers.

"We would have liked to have freshened up if we could, but with the injuries we've got we couldn't do that because we had a bench that was either very young or coming back from injury,'' he added.

"Jack Compton had 20 minutes, so that's going to help him. Josh Smile will be alright after some stitches in his eye.

"George Rigg could well come in to contention and Greg Tindle too, so straightaway you have four who could come back and make us even more competitive.

"We'll watch them come through Thursday (training) and see where they take it from there.''

Meanwhile Collier does not expect to be able to retain the services of on-loan goalkeeper Will Henry beyond the league trip to Torquay on Saturday week.

Henry signed on a short-term loan from Swindon Town earlier this month, but with Swindon's no 1 Lawrence Vigouroux called up for international duty by Chile next month, Collier expects to lose the 20-year-old back up the M4.

"We haven't talked about continuing it due to the fact we think he is going to be recalled,'' added Collier.

"Vigouroux has got the call-up, so we're looking elsewhere currently on that (goalkeeper) situation.''