Tuesday 21 October 2003 - Twerton Park - kick off 7.45pm Dr Martens Premier Division

This capped an eventful closing ten minutes that more than made up for a largely forgettable opening 80 as both sides showed why they are struggling at the wrong end of the Dr Martens Premier Division table. City kept an unchanged starting XI from Saturday’s draw at Grantham, which meant Mitch Counsell and Russell Milton had to again settle for a place on the bench. As is now traditional Chippenham came into the game packed with former City players in their ranks. This time their were six familiar faces, plus another two amongst the substitutes, and they could boost more than twice the appearances in a black and white stripes than the whole of the City line-up. It was one of these that almost opened the scoring within three minutes. Harrington’s deflected shot left Mark Bryant beaten only for the crossbar to deny him. City’s most potent threat during the first period came via left winger Alfie Carter. His cross almost fooled keeper Hervin on six minutes, landing on the roof of the net, and then another centre was wastefully blazed over by Steve Tweddle. The former Chippenham striker received a caution seven minutes later for a late challenge on Thorne. Too often possession was surrendered by both sides and clear cut chances were few and far between. Paul and Harrington shot wide for Chippenham and Adam Howarth was no more accurate under pressure from Thorne. Another surging run by Carter ended with a wild shot and Mark Salter could not keep a 32nd minute volley down. Tweddle was then denied a clear shooting opportunity by Robertson’s great tackle. The half closed with both keepers finally be called into action – Bryant comfortably gathering Walker’s header and Hervin getting down to stop Tweddle’s low effort.

After the non-event that was the first 45 it took less than three minutes into the second for the game to come alive and City take the lead. There looked to be little danger in a City attack down the left until Robertson inexplicably handled and the referee pointed to the spot. Despite Paul’s gamesmanship, clearly indicating which was he though the spot kick would go, Tweddle sent Hervin the wrong way. Lifted by this City began to control proceedings. Carter’s 51st minute cross caused panic in the heart of Chippenham’s defence only for Hervin to intervene before Frankie Bennett could profit. Bennett then produced a typical pacy run before sending a dangerous cross just beyond the far post. Howarth’s shot, after a Drew Shore corner was not properly cleared, was blocked on the line by Thorne. However, the vital second goal would not arrive and with nine minutes remaining Town drew level. There was an element of fortune in the way Walker’s free-kick found Paul but he showed all the predatory instincts that saw him grab nearly 100 goals in just over 200 appearance for City to fire past Bryant. The game was level for just two minutes. Shore collected a loose ball 25-yards out and sent a stunning low shot past Hervin. This should have been it but ironically it was Shore who gifted possession to Chippenham in stoppage time. With Hervin sprinting the length of the pitch, City seemed distracted by the orange-clad keeper, and Bright was allowed the space he needed to head home via the underside of the bar.