Chippenham Town's promotion hopes suffered a setback after Tommy Saunders' men endured 'one of those days' at Mangotsfield.

A host of missed chances, a disallowed goal, a blatant spot-kick refused, the loss of their goalkeeper through injury and a late sending off for Gareth Davies surmised a miserable day for the Bluebirds.

Town dominated proceedings but couldn't find a way past the inspired Rob Clarke in the Mangotsfield goal.

Clarke who Saunders dubbed a 'weak link' before the game proved his worth with a five star showing.

The Mangotsfield No. 1 denied forwards Steve Tweddle and James Bent on countless occasions as Chippenham threatened to run riot.

Davies hit the woodwork, Town then had a goal ruled out and an obvious Mangotsfield handball went unpunished.

The Bristol side held out though, and hit Saunders' side with a 38th-minute sucker punch.

Town were caught napping at the back when Gareth Loydon picked out Darren Edwards, and the striker lobbed keeper Steve Weaver with some precision.

It was 'Field's only shot on target all afternoon, but it proved to be enough.

Chippenham lost Weaver in the second half after the keeper aggravated a recent back injury.

Defender Danny Hunt was forced to don the gloves, but was never tested as Chippenham set up camp in the home side's half.

Clarke was again in the thick of it, pulling off fine stops from Tweddle, Bent and Mark Harrington.

As Chippenham's frustrations boiled over, Davies was given his marching orders after a scuffle with Adam Sims.

The Mangotsfield midfielder was shown red after slapping Davies, while the former Swindon man saw yellow for his involvement.

Davies wouldn't let the situation lie though and his persistent berating of the official and the Mangotsfield fans saw the influential defender join Sims down the tunnel.

Saunders was philosophical about the defeat, saying: "It just wasn't our day. I felt we thouroughly dominated and deserved the points.

"We just didn't have luck on our side, but we've got to get our heads up.

Chippenham: Weaver (Hunt), Davies, Dicks (Mings), Andrews, Rudge, Woods (Charity), Brown, Harrington, Tweddle, Rawlins, Bent

Attendance: 537

The fall-out from the Mangotsfield battle leaves Saunders with some major selection problems ahead of this afternoon's visit of Gloucester.

Steve Weaver is doubtful after picking up another back strain.

Saunders will be looking for an emergency goalkeeping replacement to draft in, but if his search proves fruitless, defender Danny Hunt may be forced to retain his place between the sticks.

Gareth Davies' presence is also in doubt, after the defender's sending off led to a bust up with Saunders.

Davies left the ground early vowing to quit the club, but the Chippenham boss will hope to bury the hatchet before 3pm today.

Saunders said: "Gareth's not particularly happy, because I told him he let the side down.

"He's been brilliant since he came here so I hope he realises what he did was silly and I hope he agrees to play for me again on Monday."