CHIPPENHAM Town boss Mark Collier praised his side after they ground out a 2-1 win over Kings Lynn Town on Saturday.

Andy Sandell gave the Bluebirds a first-half advantage when he fired a superb free-kick into the top corner in the 34th minute.

Matt Smith then doubled their advantage when he collected a ball from Alex Ferguson before firing home a low strike from range after the interval.

Collier’s side then came close to rounding off the game but had their lead slashed when the visitors hit back through Lee Stevenson, however they did enough to hold on for a victory that cemented their third-placed position in the Southern League Premier Division.

It was a hard-earned three points, as it always is in this division,” said Collier “We started the game particularly well and went in 1-0 up at half-time – our performance deserved that.

“We could have gone two-up in the first minute of the second half but we hit the post through Sandell.

“Matt Smith got our second goal after some decent work down the right and then it just seemed like we were going to get our third and fourth.

“Overall, we are disappointed we didn’t win the game by a lot more. 2-1 seems a bit closer than what it should have been.”

Chippenham didn’t come through the game unscathed as goalscorer Sandell had to be replaced after suffering from a tight groin.

Despite this, Collier remains positive as he looks ahead to Tuesday’s game away to Kings Langley.

“I keep on at all the players that every point is going to be vital at the end of the season,” added the Bluebirds chief.

“We’ve got some difficult away games to come, so to get back-to-back home wins is particularly pleasing.

“We know we have difficult games ahead of us. We’ve put ourselves in a great position but we have to push on from here – we haven’t done anything yet.”

“We need to patch a few up for Tuesday. We are sweating on Will Richards being fit and we certainly have some tired legs.

“We’ve had a tough month really, playing Saturday and Tuesday home and away.

“We will have to have a look at it. We will see how the weekend settles with everybody and go again on Tuesday.”