CAPTAIN Gary Thorne feels Chippenham could do with his brother Wayne as the race for the Southern League title draws to an exciting climax.

But Thorne, 28, said he was not surprised when his younger brother left Chippenham to play for Conference South side Weston-super-Mare two weeks ago.

He said: "He has a never say die attitude that we could do with right now.

"I was a little sad to see him go but you see players come and go all the time.

"I was not surprised when he left because things were not going his way and all he wanted to do was play football."

Wayne, who is on a month loan at Weston-super-Mare, started his career at the Conference South club in an unsavoury fashion when he was sent off for handball against Hornchurch, but Gary said his brother has now settled in at his new club.

He added: "Wayne is enjoying his football again and is doing well at Weston."

The defender has put the disappointment of his brother's departure behind him and is now concentrating on the remainder of the season after Saturday's defeat to Aylesbury.

"Every game is important, we only have four left. We were all very down after the game but now we have to put things right in the next match."

The players have that chance on Saturday when Bedford visit Hardenhuish.

A win for the visitors could put them back in the title race and would be a heavy blow to Chippenham's title ambitions.

"We have been looking over our shoulders for most of the season, but we cannot worry about other teams. It is down to what we do now, if we win all our games we win the league.

"It could come down to that dreaded last game at Histon and we don't want that. We will have to give our blood and sweat for the rest of the season."