CHIPPENHAM Town chief Mark Collier was left to reflect on a season that might have been after a 3-0 win at home to bottom side Paulton Rovers saw them finish the season eighth in the table.

The Bluebirds enjoyed one of their strongest campaigns in recent memory and only goal difference kept them off the top of the Premier Division table heading into March.

However, a miserable run of three points from seven games sent them down the table and ultimately out of the race for promotion.

Although eighth represents Chippenham’s highest-placed finish since they came seventh in 2010-11, Collier believes it could – and should – have been so much more.

“It’s certainly disappointing because the lowest we have been all season is eighth, which is where we are after the last game of the season,” said Collier.

“However, we have progressed. The building blocks are in place now and hopefully we can retain the squad we have got and add two or three to it. If we can do that, I don’t see why we can’t be a force.

“We have gone away to some of the best clubs in the division and been competitive and won games as well.

“Our season hinged on a very poor March where we just didn’t pick up enough points.

“The players’ form has been poor, by their own admission, so we need to make sure that’s a learning curve for us and an incentive to kick on next season.”

Chippenham suffered a thumping 6-2 defeat at Redditch United in midweek and that appeared to still be in the back of their minds at Hardenhuish Park as half-time arrived with the score still goalless.

However, Collier issued a rallying cry at the interval and Alan Griffin took just eight minutes to break the deadlock before Alex Ferguson’s quickfire double had the result wrapped up before the hour mark.

“The performance at Redditch was disappointing to say the least but we knew we were missing key personnel and they came back in following their suspensions and injuries, and made a difference,” added Collier.