MIDFIELDER Gary Horgan was far from downcast after Chippenham were held at home by fellow high-flyers Stafford Rangers on Saturday.

Victory would have made the Bluebirds firm favourites to clinch second spot behind runaway leaders Tamworth, but Horgan felt another home draw had been the fairest outcome following a pulsating clash.

He said: "It was a difficult game. The conditions meant the pitch deteriorated throughout the game and it developed into a bit of a scrap, which we always knew it would be.

"They were a physical side, direct, and similar to ourselves in a way. They played in the same way and both sides cancelled each other out.

"It was important we got at least a point and we we're obviously pleased with it. We want to keep our season alive and a draw was not a disaster. A point keeps us up there and stops Stafford from getting away from us."

The former Bath City man felt the Bluebirds slow start had much to do with the bizarre injury suffered by James Bittner before the kick off.

Said Horgan: "I don't think it should have affected us, but psychologically it did. You don't want to lose a key member of the team, and James obviously is a key member.

"He has been excellent this season and to lose him before the kick off to a bizarre incident probably did shake the team."

But Chippenham's response was swift and it was Horgan's ball to the overlapping Simon Charity that helped create the equaliser for home debutant Scott Walker.

Said Horgan: "It was a well-worked goal. Tommy told us to get down the flanks, either on the right or the left, and it just so happened that Simon Charity made an overlap and Scotty finished it off at the far post.

"Once we went 1-0 down we were obviously disappointed, but we have managed to strike back almost straight away and get ourselves back into the game."