Sam Allison headed a late winner as Chippenham Town beat Hemel Hempstead Town 1-0.

The Bluebirds survived a second-half onslaught from the home side with Allison’s 85th minute goal snatching all three points at a sunny Vauxhall Road.

Strike partners Lewis Powell and Ben Highmore were the first to test on-loan QPR goalkeeper Elvijs Putnins before Alex Kite’s header brought a fine save from the Latvian.

Midway through the half, Kite played a long ball into the path of Highmore, who checked back onto his left foot and drew another good save from Putnins.

Dean Brennan then had Hemel’s first opportunity of the match but his shot was easily claimed by Chippenham stopper Ian Gill.

The home side had Putnins to thank yet again as his heroics denied the Bluebirds a lead.

From a set piece, Powell hit a fizzing effort from 35 yards but the Hemel keeper tipped the striker’s effort onto the post to keep the scores level at half-time.

The hosts started the second period brightly and Gill was called into action early on, making a low save.

At the other end, Allison set up Danny Wring, who hit a powerful effort from a tight angle that sailed over the bar.

With 15 minutes to go, it was Hemel’s turn to hit the woodwork when Gill turned a long-range effort onto the crossbar.

The Chippenham keeper, standing in for the injured Chris Snoddy, was then forced to make a string of saves as the home side piled on the pressure.

However, on 85 minutes and against the run of play, the Bluebirds made the vital breakthrough.

Jon Davies, on as a substitute, beat his defender on the left-hand side with a series of stepovers, before floating a ball to the far post.

The left-winger’s cross was met by right-winger Allison, who bundled the ball over the line with a header down towards the ground.

Powell and Allison both had chances to double Chippenham’s lead in the dying moments of the game but the Bluebirds held on for all three points.