TOP scorer Martin Paul admitted he is still in the dark over why he was dropped for the clash at Moor Green but is happy to stay and fight for his place in the Bluebirds starting line-up.

Paul, who has scored only twice in his last 13 outings, was axed by manager Tommy Saunders for the first time since signing from Newport County in the summer as Chippenham went down to Jae Martin's 25th minute strike at Moorlands.

The frontman was unhappy at being left out of the side, but returned for the Wiltshire Premier Shield semi-final at Salisbury City on Tuesday night.

Said Paul: "It was a surprise. There was no forewarning and the first I knew about it was when he (Saunders) read the team out.

"He didn't tell me why and has no reason to. He is the manager and is paid to make those decisions. I didn't agree with being dropped and didn't like it, but I had to respect Tommy's decision."

Paul has another year to run on his Chippenham contract and insists he will not be seeking a move away from Hardenhuish in the close season.

He said: "I have been left out too many times before to be worried about it. I'd be more worried if it was seven games into the season rather than seven from the end.

"It has been a fairly successful season for me personally. I have no intention of going anywhere else and haven't enjoyed my football as much in a long time.

"To play for Tommy Saunders and only get dropped with seven games to go can be seen as an achievement in a way."

Despite being relegated to the bench on Saturday, Paul insisted he took no pleasure in seeing fellow strikers Adie Mings, Matt Rawlins and Charlie Griffin struggle in front of goal at Moor Green. He said: "You always want the lads to do well and get a good result, but at the same time you are hoping to get on and prove a point.

"Mingsy was unfortunate and Charlie and Matty were as well. We gave a bad goal away defensively and it has cost us. But, at some point, the tide will turn."

Paul is hoping to end his four-month wait for a goal at Hardenhuish Park when Cambridge City visit on Saturday, but expects the struggling visitors to pose a stern test.

He said: "They beat Crawley 3-0 on Saturday so it won't be an easy game. We won 1-0 there and it was a very, very evenly matched game.''