BLUEBIRDS boss Nathan Rudge admits he may have got his team selection wrong in Tuesday night’s disappointing defeat by Bedford Town.

Clayton Fortune made his Chippenham debut but Town struggled to find a way through the visitors’ water-tight defence and were eventually seen off by two second half goals.

“In the first half, I thought that we were playing well and should have gone in to half-time a few goals up,” said Rudge.

“On Saturday, we won 4-0 but we probably had more chances against Bedford but just like we saw against Banbury, if you don’t take your chances, you get punished.

“Alex Kite played really well on Saturday but didn’t keep his place and maybe that was a mistake. You have to make decisions though and live by them if they’re right or wrong.”

Fortune, 29, has 53 league appearances for Bristol City under his belt, and moved to Hardenhuish Park from Mangotsfield United but Rudge says the tall centre-back will have to earn his place in the centre of defence.

He added: “We’ve got a lot of competition in the centre of defence and maybe even too much.

“We’re always on the lookout for good players though and Clayton’s someone we think can be a good player for Chippenham.

“We’ve just got to get him used to how we play and get his fitness up to speed too.”

Bedford were prevented from taking the lead 12 minutes in thanks to a stunning reaction save from keeper Conor Thompson, who somehow held on to Mark Bell’s shot on the turn after he latched on to Eugene Libertucci’s long throw.

Steve Casey and Lee Phillips both had headers cleared off the line before Phillips blazed an effort over the bar with 36 minutes on the clock.

Just past the hour mark. Chippenham were dealt a blow when tall Bedford defender Jamie Grimes rose unmarked to power home with his head from Ashley Fuller’s corner.

Substitute Dean Griffiths went for the equaliser with a curling shot over the bar before at the other end, Callum Lewis’ instinctive header was tipped on to the crossbar by Thompson.

But Bedford got their second goal when Nat Peacock pounced on a ball that cannoned off a home foot and fired into the side-netting, with referee James McCafferey over-ruling linesman Aaron Reed’s offside flag.

Brandon Barnes almost pulled a goal back late on but his effort was expertly tipped away by Eagles keeper Ian Brown.