CHIPPENHAM Town boss Mark Collier believes his side showed their winning mentality after leaving it late to beat Hayes & Yeading United away this afternoon.

The Hardenhuish Park boss joked that he was grateful that stadiums have defibrillators on hand as the Bluebirds required two goals in the final 10 minutes of their encounter to secure the 2-1 win.

At the end of a frustrating first period for the visitors, Ramone Rose turned in the box to fire past Chippenham keeper Chitty with practically the last kick of the half.

When Dave Pratt saw his penalty saved shortly after the break it looked like it was going to be one of those afternoons for the visitors.

However, with Leamington having jumped above them on Saturday with a 2-0 win at Basingstoke Town, Chippenham knew a win was vital to secure their league-leading status.

Will Richards was moved up front in the last 10 minutes and it paid dividends as he tapped home James Guthrie’s corner, with skipper Greg Tindle claiming to have got the last touch.

With the game moving into time added on, Pratt atoned for his earlier penalty miss with a match-winning header.

“We started the game alright, in the first five or 10 minutes, and then they (Hayes) got on top of us,” said Collier, having regained his breath.

“They were always going to play on the counter and it is always difficult, especially away from home, when teams play in that manner.

“We have then got a foothold on the game and are disappointed that we didn’t score but on the stroke of half-time they have scored a goal.

“We knew we were creating chances so I just said that we needed to stay calm and keep on playing the way we were.

“We’re knocking on the door for a large period of the game and you’re left thinking it’s never going to go in but we got a decent goal from a corner.

“Then there was only one team that was going to win it and we’ve gone three at the back and we’ve got a late goal from David Pratt.

“It just shows that we have certainly got a winning mentality to get that late goal and keep on pushing.”

The victory leaves the Bluebirds four points clear at the top of the table with seven games remaining and Collier may be calling on the defibrillator again before the season is out.

“I still think there will be some twists and turns but we’re taking it deep into the final seven games of the season,” he added.

“It could go any way but I think two or three of the teams below, we could be moving away from them now.

“If we can’t win the title, we need to be second or third so we get that home game (in the play-offs).

“It’s a great place to be and I want us to enjoy it.”