Chippenham Town 1, Rugby Town 1 Striker David Pratt provided all the game’s talking points but Chippenham’s play-off hopes officially were quashed as they only managed a point at home to Rugby Town.

After the farcical week at Hardenhuish Park in which they were docked three points for fielding an ineligible player it was a welcome relief to get back to playing football after last Saturday’s disappointing draw with Mangotsfield United.

The game stated slowly but sprang to life in the 27 th minute when Pratt intercepted a back pass and was brought down by the visiting keeper only for the referee to bizarrely award a corner rather than a penalty kick.

The Bluebirds continued to create the game’s better chances but missed the potency of Marcus Palmer, who was temporarily called back to action for Forest Green Rovers, and could not make their advantage count.

With the contest seemingly petering out to a bore draw the hosts finally provided an end product to their possession when Luke Gullick was on hand in the penalty area top blast home on 82 minutes and guide his side to a deserved three points and put their dour week behind them.

However, in injury time, the referee and David Pratt again came to the fore when a harsh free kick was awarded against the forward on the half way line.

From the resulting set piece the fall bell to a Rugby striker on the edge of the area and in an effort to clear his lines Pratt mis-timed a tackle and gave the official no option but to point to the spot.

Southern League top scorer David Kolodynski made no mistake with the penalty and sent his side back to midlands with a point while Chippenham’s demoralising run continues.

To make matters worse for the Bluebirds, cultured midfielder Kye Holly suffered an injury the warm up and had to be withdrawn at half time and he will likely miss Monday’s trip to Tiverton Town.

“It wasn’t a fair result and we should have won quite comfortably,” said manager Adie Mings.

“Once again it was down to us not being ruthless enough in front of goal as we created a lot of chances.

“We’ve been denied a blatant penalty in the first half but then after getting ourselves in front we’ve then give away a stupid penalty at the end through poor decision making.

“They’ve come here today to nick a point and in the end they have done that but we should have won by two or three goals.”

Log on to G&H Sport on Monday for full minute-by-minute coverage of Chippenham Town’s trip to Tiverton Town.