CONCORD Rangers returned to winning ways as they won 2-1 at Chippenham Town.

Lewis Taaffe and Andy Freeman scored either side of James Guthrie’s red card for the hosts, while Matt Smith notched a consolation late on.

And, as a result, Adam Flanagan’s side were able to move five points clear of the National League South drop zone.

The Beach Boys were looking to bounce back from suffering their fourth consecutive defeat at the weekend.

And the game got off to a frantic start, with both sides creating chances.

However, neither team could grab a first half lead and the encounter remained goalless at the interval.

Concord goalkeeper Louis Wells did well to claw away a threatening header and the visitors were able to break the deadlock early in the second half.

On his first start since returning from injury, Taaffe pounced on a poor backpass and rounded the goalkeeper before tapping home.

And the Beach Boys could also boast a numerical advantage soon after as Steve Cawley was pulled back by Guthrie when the Concord skipper attempted to capitalise on another underhit backpass.

The visitors doubled their lead when Freeman neatly rounded off a fine move involving Cawley and Khale Da Costa.

Smith pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 90th minute, but Concord held on to secure all three points.

Concord Rangers: Wells, Girdlestone, Brown, Nasha, Knight, Roast, Da Costa, Topley, Taaffe, Cawley, Freeman