MANAGER Mark Collier admits Chippenham Town are getting what they deserve after his side fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Slough Town.

The Bluebirds recorded their second loss on the bounce and have now not won in their last seven outings, failing to score in three of their last four.

Slough took the lead on 33 minutes when Gurkan Gokmen’s ball over the top found Lee Barney and he lobbed over the onrushing Chippenham goalkeeper Kent Kauppinen.

A second yellow card for substitute Chris Allen two minutes from the end, having already been booked for dissent, all but ruled out Chippenham’s hopes of claiming a point and Collier carried out his post-match team talk on the pitch afterwards.

“We’re not in great form and started the game okay but conceded a goal,” he said.

“The second half; we changed things around a little bit but we still lacked a little bit of edge and that little bit of class in and around the box that would create a chance.

“We had several half-chances and their keeper has made a couple of good saves and overall, we were in the ascendency for most of the second half, but it wasn’t one of those where you thought we were going to score.

“There is no denying the fact we have lost our way a little bit and some of the big players are not performing as they were.

“Really, our poor form is getting us what we deserve, which is nothing.”

Collier’s men are now five points adrift of a play-off spot with just four games remaining, but as long as there is a mathematical possibility, then Collier won’t give up hope.

“We’ve got four games left and we have got to make sure we stick together as a group of players and a management team,” he added.

“We have had a great time up until now and now we are not doing so well, it's the time to stick together and be united. The important part of the season has come and we are pulling up just short.

“However, as long as those points are still available and there is a chance of us getting into the play-offs, we must just keep on working and hoping that the tide changes.

“At this moment in time, we are not in a good place and not playing particularly well – this is an unforgiving division and if you are below par, teams find you out.

“We have still got a small window of opportunity, although that is slowly closing on us. As long as it is still there, we must keep pushing and see where it takes us.”