ROSS Adams insists he will settle for a "scrappy three points" every week if it keeps the Chippenham Town promotion ship on course, writes GARETH MOORHOUSE.

Tuesday's 1-0 triumph over Hitchin Town at Hardenhuish Park was anything but pretty, but it moved the Bluebirds to within four points of the Southern League summit.

Adams, pictured, has been in excellent form of late, helping Chippenham keep six clean sheets in nine matches, but the former Highworth full-back knows it is the goals for' column that will ultimately define the Bluebirds' season.

He said: "The game against Hitchin must have been ugly to watch but we got the three points and that's all that matters at this stage of the season.

"We've played a lot better than that and lost, so nobody was complaining when the final whistle went.

"It doesn't matter how the goals come or what the performance is like, it's all about grinding out results and keeping ourselves ticking over now."

Adams knows pipping the likes of Team Bath and King's Lynn to the one automatic promotion spot will be tough, but the defender is convinced Chippenham will secure a play-off berth at least.

And with home advantage on offer for the team that finishes second, Adams is targeting another unbeaten run as the dash for the finish post heats up.

He said: "On paper we have the easiest run-in, but it doesn't always work like that.

"Teams at the bottom will be scrapping for their lives, and those games can be just as tough as playing your rivals at the top.

"The top sides all have to play each other though, so they will take points off each other. We have to make sure we take advantage of that when it happens."

Chippenham welcome Rugby Town to Hardenhuish tomorrow, who will still be smarting after Tuesday night's 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Gloucester.

"It was probably the worst result possible for us, because Rugby will be more determined than ever to bounce back," said Adams.

"But we know if we can get in front early their heads may start to drop. I don't really care what the score is as long as we're ahead at the final whistle."

Cirencester Town travel to Clevedon tomorrow looking to break a depressing sequence of five consecutive league defeats.

Monday's 3-0 reverse at home to Bashley left the Centurions in deep relegation trouble, but their one game in hand should offer Adie Viveash's men a small crumb of comfort.