MANAGERS Mark Collier and Lee Spalding were in agreement that it was underdogs Swindon Supermarine who had the better of Saturday’s FA Cup clash at Chippenham Town as the second qualifying round tie ended in a 2-2 draw.

There was no shortage of drama between the Wiltshire rivals at Hardenhuish Park, but in the end the contest failed to produce a winner and the two teams will now meet again in a replay at Marine’s Webbswood Stadium on Tuesday.

Southern League side Supermarine started the better but fell behind to Nat Jarvis’ header for the National League Bluebirds.

Brad Hooper restored parity but the visitors were dealt another set-back when goalkeeper Josh Hill suffered an injury before the break, forcing full-back John Else to fill in between the sticks.

Again it was Chippenham to strike first in the second half as Jarvis got his second of the game but when the hosts were reduced to 10 men after a red card for James Guthrie, Stuart Fleetwood was able to bag another equaliser for Marine and earn them a replay.

Supermarine manager Spalding said: “We started really brightly and probably should have scored within the first five minutes – and we could have been 3-0 up within 20 minutes.

“I was disappointed not to take those opportunities and it was one where you think you might get punished. When Chippenham went 1-0 up, you think ‘have we blown it?’

“We did really well to get back into the game but then when the goalkeeper got injured, it didn’t look good. We had to make the change and John has never gone in goal before, but he did brilliantly.

“It is credit to the whole team how well we defended in the second half because I think Chippenham only had two shots on goal after that.

“It was a really good effort from the boys. We played really well and we’re actually disappointed not to come with the result.

“It was such a positive performance and we showed enough to win it. But we will take the replay and it is at home, so it’s one to really look forward to.”

Chippenham chief Collier conceded his side were outclassed on the day and felt they were fortunate not to see their cup campaign come to an end.

“We were poor. I will hold my hands up and say they were the better side and I am relieved that we are still in the cup,” said Collier.

“We could have been 3-1 or 4-1 down at half-time. We weren’t at the races all around the pitch and the only upside from the game is that we are still in the hat as we should be long gone.

“Credit to Supermarine. They were the better side, they played the better football and created the better chances.

“I can’t find a reason for it because we have been in good form. We didn’t win enough first or second balls, we didn’t have any cohesion and we lacked intensity.

“Football-wise it was a very, very bad day at the office and we’re very grateful to still be in the hat.”