CHIPPENHAM Town captain Iain Harvey insists only the unbridled joy of a promotion party will be enough to cure the hangover of last season’s agonising play-off defeat.

The Bluebirds threw away a one-goal lead in the semi-final at Halesowen in a depressing end to the 2007/8 campaign which began with so much promise.

After watching his side slip to a third play-off defeat in just four seasons, Harvey is determined to set the record straight this time around.

“We are so determined to succeed this year, especially after what happened last season,” he said. “To have the first game called off and then to lose in the way we did was absolutely heart-breaking.

“Now it’s about trying to put that right. Our aim has to be to try and win the league outright this season. We are always there or thereabouts, we just have to go one better.”

Finishing fourth behind the likes of King’s Lynn, Team Bath and Halesowen was certainly no disgrace for Chippenham, but Harvey does not see it that way.

With the new season due to get underway on Saturday, the former Swindon Town trainee expects his side to be in the mix when the trophies are handed out in May.

He said: “I don’t know if the teams that have come down will be as strong as King’s Lynn and Team Bath, I guess only time will tell. The teams at the bottom seem to be getting stronger every year though, so we know it’s going to be tough.

“We’ve lost Aaron Cornwall which is a blow because he is a class player.

“Mark Badman is another quality player who will be a big loss. He’s got a chance at Bath City and I am made up for him.

“But the players that Adie has brought in all look great, so I’m sure we will be just as strong.

“Adie is a top man and a quality manager. He is one of the lads but he also has a ruthless streak, so if we’re not performing he won’t bat and eyelid about dropping us.

“That’s the way it should be and we’re all really looking forward to the new season.”