CHIPPENHAM Town came home from Worcestershire with nothing earlier today as they suffered a frustrating loss at Redditch United.

The hosts netted a fortunate goal to take the lead early in the first half and threw everything into defending their advantage, with the Bluebirds unable to find a way through to salvage the game.

Chippenham created the first opening of the afternoon when Dean Griffiths headed into the hands of United keeper James Wren from Scott Lye’s cross.

But with 13 minutes on the clock, a huge slice of misfortune saw the Bluebirds fall behind.

Scott Rogers was harshly adjudged to have fouled Jack Creswell but Redditch’s Josh Quaynor took a quick free-kick and played the ball out to Gary Moran in space outside the area.

The United full-back had a speculative pot-shot but his effort took a wicked deflection on the way through and flew into the right corner of the net, completely wrong-footing Ben John.

The hosts Jake Reid bullied his way into the area four minutes later but got his shot all wrong and with two minutes of the half remaining, the former Chippenham striker should have put his side 2-0 up.

Reid was sent racing clear towards goal as Redditch caught out the Bluebirds but he hesitated when it came to sliding the ball past John and shot tamely at the Chippenham goalie before Stuart Hendrie fired the follow-up into the side-netting.

Nathan Rudge’s side were on the front foot in the second period, with the hosts remaining camped in their own half as they looked to hold on to their lead.

Alex Kite wasn’t far off target with a diving header 58 minutes in and shortly afterwards, debutant Tom Knighton tested Wren from range.

In the 70th minute, substitute James Guthrie found Luke Ballinger in space in the area but his powerfully struck shot was deflected away by a Redditch defender.

Ballinger also had an inswinging corner tipped away by the United keeper after it swerved wickedly towards goal.

Iain Harvey also failed to trouble Redditch with a shot from the edge of the box while Kite volleyed wide with around eight minutes to go.

The second half was all Chippenham but the home defence would remain unbreached.

In the 85th minute, Ballinger’s cross was spilled by Wren and Alan Griffin got his body in the way of the United keeper before being barged over in the area but referee Matthew Wilkes waved away the calls for a penalty on a disappointing afternoon for the Bluebirds.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Ben John, Alex Kite, Toby Osman (Lee Phillips 73), Ashley Williams, Adie Harris, Iain Harvey, Scott Lye, Scott Rogers (Tom Knighton 53), Alan Griffin, Dean Griffiths (James Guthrie 53), Luke Ballinger.

Subs not used: Brandon Barnes, Nathan Rudge.

Attendance: 187