A DEFIANT Darren Perrin stood shoulder to shoulder with brother Steve on Saturday as a small cluster of irate Banbury United fans vented their fury at the Chippenham Town goalkeeper.

One foul-mouthed supporter made his way from behind the goal to remonstrate with Perrin at the final whistle after 90 minutes of banter with the Bluebirds stopper.

He was met by the two smiling brothers who retreated swiftly down the Hardenhuish tunnel with three league points tucked away in their pockets.

The fans were eventually ordered from the ground by chairman Sandie Webb, who was at pitchside to congratulate the coaching staff and man-of-the-match Darren Wheeler.

Manager Darren Perrin emerged from the dressing room 10 minutes later to greet the waiting media and share his thoughts on the after-match melee.

He said: "Some of their fans behind the goal gave Steve and our back four some stick all afternoon. They didn't like the way we celebrated at the final whistle.

"They like to give it out but they have to be prepared to take it as well."

The Bluebirds boss showed the lighter side of character in the dying stages of Saturday's game when he kicked the ball away from Banbury full back George Redknap.

At one point four balls were on the pitch as the visitors struggled to mount a late fightback.

Said Perrin: "It was just a bit of gamesmanship and handbags.

"I tried to pass it back to the lad but I missed. That's why I never played at this standard, I never had a good touch."

Chippenham held on for a comfortable victory and Perrin said he was overjoyed with the three points that guaranteed his side a play-off place.

He said: "I'm delighted with the performance and I was delighted to keep a clean sheet because our goals against column is not as good as it should be."

Perrin admitted to a stroke of good fortune before Alan Griffin's 60th minute winner. When Griffin misplaced a pass just before the hour mark the Blues' boss told Matt Rawlins to warm up.

But two minutes later Griffin lashed a thunderous volley into the top corner and Rawlins was ordered to put his tracksuit top back on.

Perrin said: "I have to admit it was not great management. We were going to take Alan off before the goal. I'm over the moon for him to get the winner and so are the rest of the players."

Chippenham entertain Cheshunt at Hardenhuish Park tomorrow. Skipper Gary Thorne is still injured and midfielder Iain Harvey serves the second of his two-match ban.