The management has changed but has the Hardenhuish Park atmosphere? ANDY DAVEY assessed the mood on Saturday

THE driving rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of the Bluebirds excited fans as they flocked to Hardenhuish Park to welcome the team's new manager.

Chippenham Town's hardcore fans set up camp behind Basingstoke's goal as the club's mascot, the 6ft Bluebird called Chippy, incited the roars of the crowd to fever pitch.

At times the vocal support was more akin to Milan's San Siro than Hardenhuish Park as the fans broke out the bass drums, beating time to the supporters chants.

Even when Basingstoke sneaked ahead with a goal after 18 minutes the fans refused to be silenced.

For the first time this season Chippenham's performance was full of passion and commitment and the fans refused to let the team down, urging them on to greater efforts as their search for an equaliser became increasingly desperate.

All that was missing was a goal as Chippenham dominated possession, but were unable to find the key to unlock Basingstoke's defence. You could sense the frustration that has been present all season but this time no one moaned at the players.

In the second half the Bluebirds faithful packed up and walked around the ground to maintain their position behind Basingstokes goalkeeper.

One fan found a loudhailer, which was used to barrack the opposition and encourage the home side.

As time slipped away the fans became fretful as Chippenham missed a couple of golden chances to score.

The tension grew and a hushed descended over the pitch for the first time all afternoon as injury time ticked away. But just when all seemed lost and it looked as if all the hopes and expectations of Steve White's appointment appeared to be shattered Nathan Edward's struck.

It was a scuffed shot and a messy goal, but no one cared as the 466-strong crowd fans roared in ecstasy and the Bluebirds' new manager leapt from the dugout to celebrate on the pitch.

Steve White has broken the team's run of defeats, but the bluebirds must ruffle the feathers of plenty more sides if they wish to escape the drop.