CHIPPENHAM Town manager Mark Collier had to settle for a goalless draw with local rivals Frome Town to cap off a pleasing Easter schedule.

Having beaten league leaders Poole Town just 48 hours earlier, the victory had clearly taken its toll on the fitness levels of the Bluebirds.

Both Alex Ferguson and Saturday’s match winner, Ashan Holgate, struck the crossbar but that was the closest the visitors came to breaking the deadlock.

“In all fairness it wasn’t a great game,” admitted Collier.

“Both sides lacked a bit of quality all round and we are aware that the pitches are difficult at this time of year, the wind was blowing and they are scrapping and fighting for every point they can get, so we knew it would be difficult.

“We did have a couple of decent chances. Ferguson and Holgate both hit the bar, which was a bit unlucky but overall I think it had 0-0 written all over it.

“Frome didn’t want to lose the game in their perilous position and we had a few tired legs from our game on Saturday.

“We obviously went there to try and win the game but that is three games without conceding a goal and seven points out of nine, so we are quite happy with that.”

The Easter weekend took its toll on the squad, with Michael Pook and Conor McCormack both coming off on Saturday, with a sore groin and a hamstring problem respectively.

While Luke Ballinger left the Blindmans Brewery Stadium on crutches with a calf strain that could rule him out for the remainder of the season.

However, yesterday did see the return of striker Lee Phillips on 82 minutes to make his first appearance since receiving surgery on a troublesome knee.

Collier will now prepare his side for the visit of Cambridge City, knowing that he will have to shuffle his pack.

“Cambridge have improved a lot of late,” he added.

“They have had a lot of injuries over their season but they seem to have all their key players back now.

“I know they lost at the weekend but they have been on a good little run themselves.

“Cambridge are a big club in this division and I am sure they are disappointed at where they are.

“Like us they will want to finish strongly and I look forward to a good game against them.”