TEMPERS flared on Tuesday evening as confusion and controversy clouded an intense conflict at Twerton Park.

Striker David Gilroy quietened the home fans by opening the scoring in the first half before Bath got a dubious equaliser when the ball did not appear to have crossed the line.

Bath's goal came after they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Chippenham penalty area, defender Steve Jones floated the ball in for fellow center-back Matt Coupe to head goalwards.

Chippenham keeper Mark Hervin caught the ball and as the players wereabout to carry on the linesman flagged that the ball had crossed the line.

Just 850 fans turned out for the rearranged fixture that should have taken place during the Christmas break. The original game was called off due to a frozen pitch and there were the same fears as light snow fell on the Twerton Park pitch on Tuesday.

Chippenham took a depleted side to Bath as Gary Horgan was on a one match suspension, Scott Walker had an ankle injury and Ben Kirk had a groin strain.

To fill his bench White called in a favour from Biddestone and borrowed Luke Gullick and Dean Brookman.

There was no disputing the opening goal from Gilroy which came in the 20th minute after a blistering run from right back Rene Regis. He squared the ball to midfielder Mark Badman who was on the edge of the box.

He sweetly slipped the ball into the path of the oncoming Gilroy. He took the pass in his stride and side footed beneath the advancing keeper Paul Evans.

Chippenham's goal was against the run of play but the game turned after Gilroy's opener and Chippenham went on the offensive.

There were shouts for a penalty when Gilroy went charging into the Bath penalty box and was sent crashing to the floor with a tackle from behind by defender Jim Rollo.

The away players looked at the referee in amazement when he pointed for a goal kick.

Striker Sam Allison was sent off for a second bookable offence with ten minutes left to go.

Allison jumped to challenge for a high ball with Coupe and when he landed the referee ran over and showed the forward the red card.

White said: "We don't know if Sam had swung and caught the player but he was distraught after the game.

"Things have gone against us but the commitment and the resolve of our players was magnificent."

The match was a typical derby with tempers high and tackles flying in from all directions.

Even the managers clashed when Bath's player boss Gary Owers smashed into Mark Badman as the midfielder lay on the floor

White came out of the dugout and exchanged words with Owers.

Chippenham: Hervin, Regis, Mcentegart, Herring, G Thorne, Badman, Wilmot, Davidson, Gilroy, Allison, Jones. Subs not used: Brookman, Gullick, W Thorne, Astley.