CHIPPENHAM boss Mark Collier reminded his players that their futures at the club are not secure as a poor performance saw his side beaten 4-2 by fifth-placed Bideford.

Late goals from Rob Dean and Alan Griffin were too little, too late as the Bluebirds went down limply at Hardenhuish Park.

In fact Chippenham were grateful to ‘keeper Ben John for saving a penalty to keep the score at four after a pair of braces from Owen Howe and Matt Hockley had put the visitors way out in front.

The usually upbeat Collier could find no positives from the game.

“It was a very, very poor performance. We looked lethargic from the first minute to the last minute, we were off the pace, we didn't mark properly, we didn't defend properly, the midfield players didn't get on the ball, the wide players didn't have an effect and the strikers were inefficient,” he said.

“As we said to the players in there, some of these lads are playing for their futures at the football club. This is a big non-league football club and they should want to be here, and those kind of performances don't fill me with a great deal of heart for next season.

“They need to look at themselves because there's no excuse for that performance. It's the same players that have put in good performances and I can only hope it's a blip.”

A few of Bluebirds players put there hands up after the game and admitted they were below-par but some didn’t and Collier was worried at the lack of resolve his side showed.

“I think a lot of our players lacked a bit of heart and spirit out there today and that's the disappointing thing because myself and Tom can't give them that – that has to be in their locker.”

The result means Chippenham remain one place above the relegation places but in truth the 16 point gap between the Hardenhuish Park side and next side down,AFC Totton, means there is little danger of relegation for Collier’s side.