CHIPPENHAM TOWN'S first poor patch in the Premier Division continued with a 1-0 defeat at Moor Green on Saturday.

It is the first time this season that Tommy Saunders' side have suffered back-to-back losses following last weekend's 2-1 reverse against Halesowen.

And once again it was wasteful finishing that cost the Bluebirds at least a share of the spoils.

As it was, Jae Martin's 25th-minute strike proved decisive in a bad tempered affair.

Martin hit a sweet left-footer beyond James Bittner from the edge of the area, but Saunders will feel his team did enough to get a result after battering Moor Green in the second half.

Unfortunately, the Bluebirds found home keeper Adam Rachel in inspired form. Rachel soon raced off his line to smother an Adie Mings effort and the same player was denied again in a one-on-one after 55 minutes.

Yet another brilliant stop from Mings preceded similar heroics to deny Scott Walker on the rebound.

Rachel saved his best for last when Charlie Griffin was frustrated from point-blank range and a searing Walker drive was brilliantly tipped aside at the death.

Saunders handed debuts to Ian Herring on loan from Swindon and Richard Kear drafted in from Cheltenham.

Herring started the game in the centre of midfield and gave a good account of himself, although he escaped a red card for a two-footed lunge on Jai Stanley. Kear made a late cameo on the right flank.

Saunders was disappointed to taste defeat again, but with Tamworth, Stafford and Worcester also losing, it's as you were at the top of the Premier Division. The Chippenham boss said: "We've had chance after chance after chance in the second half but their goalkeeper was outstanding.

"It's a hard league and you don't get given anything, as today's results show.

"We've got Cambridge next Saturday and if we can get three points against them we can still finish runners-up and if we finish runners-up that will be a fantastic achievement.

"We have to stay positive and hopefully results will turn."

CHIPPENHAM: Bittner, Charity, Thorne, Towler, Gould, Herring, Walker, Horgan, Mings, Griffin, Rawlins

Subs: Andrews, Kear, Harrington, Bull

Attendance: 335

MIDFIELDER JP Mills has been released by Chippenham. The former Southampton youngster has parted company with the Hardenhuish Park outfit after failing to break into the starting line-up despite some impressive displays as substitute.