SOUTHERN PREMIER

Tiverton Town 0, Chippenham Town 1

ALAN Griffin donned the goalkeeping gloves on Saturday as nine-man Chippenham held on for a morale-boosting win in Devon.

The fearless striker took his place between the posts after Chris Snoddy, making only his second start of the season, was controversially sent off for handling the ball outside the area.

Griffin made one fine save from Jamie Mudge and had full-back Kevin Halliday to thank when he spilled an Anthony Mason drive with 20 minutes to play.

Skipper Ian Herring was given his marching orders in the 86th minute for a second booking, but his team-mates rallied round to protect Griffin's unlikely clean sheet.

The victory was Chippenham's first league triumph for six weeks and their 100th win since joining the Southern League.

Manager Darren Perrin was full of praise for his players after watching them overcome adversity to take the honours at Ladysmead.

He said: "It was a fantastic team performance, full of passion, desire, character and commitment.

"I know one result does make our season, but it might just keep the critics away for a while.

"Not that they scared or worried me, but it was nice for the players to celebrate because they have worked very hard."

Perrin slammed referee Mr Greenwood's decision to dismiss 21-year-old Snoddy on his first away start for Chippenham this term.

The Bluebirds boss was furious with the official for listening to the chants of the home crowd.

He said: "That was the worst sending off I have ever seen in my life. There's no way it was a deliberate hand ball - it was embarrassing.

"The linesman was flagging for a throw-in, I couldn't believe it when the ref pulled out a red card.

"I've got no complaints about Ian Herring's sending off. He was silly to kick the ball away and he will be dealt with by the club.

"But to be fair, if the referee had not wrongly sent Chris off then Spud (Herring) would not have been booked for dissent.

"We've got an excellent result here against a good Tiverton side and against some terrible refereeing decisions."

Chippenham adopted a 4-5-1 formation and soon took control of the midfield against a Tiverton team who beat them at Hardenhuish Park back in April.

The returning Sean Seavill, back from his loan spell with Clevedon, showed glimpses of his boundless potential with a jinking run and shot after 25 minutes.

Herring then fired the Bluebirds in front with an early contender for goal of the season.

Kevin Halliday's cross eventually found its way to Dave Gilroy, who rolled the ball back for his captain to score with a rasping effort from 25 yards out.

Snoddy saw red after seven minutes of the second half when he darted out of his area to deny Mudge a shot on goal.

The ball cannoned off the Tiverton forward and back onto outstretched arms of the young goalkeeper, who was harshly sentenced to an early bath.

With regular stopper Steve Perrin still nursing a hip problem, Griffin pulled on the number one jersey for the remaining 38 minutes.

Paul Milsom almost scored against his former employers when his effort was blocked on the line by Barry McConnell.

Griffin reacted smartly to deny Mudge with his feet and then survived a late scare when Mason's strike was cleared by Halliday.