The departure of manager David Batch could do nothing to spark an upturn in form for St Neots Town today.

The Saints crashed to a heavy home defeat at the hands of high-flying Chippenham Town in the Southern League Premier Division.

They conceded twice in each half when going down 4-0 at the Premier Plus Stadium, less than 48 hours after Batch called time on his 12-and-a-half month reign.

Saints, with director of football Iain Parr in charge, fell behind after a quarter-of-an-hour before their deficit increased on the stroke of half-time after Mat Mitchel-King conceded a penalty.

And worse was to follow as Ben Burton and Adam Tann scored own goals at opposite ends of the second period as the club’s run without a victory was extended to 11 games. They also find themselves just nine points above the Premier Division.

St Neots handed a debut to new signing Josh Dawkin, who has arrived from Cambridge City, and Matthew Smyth, who has been drafted in on loan from Stevenage.

But they were dealt further blows in a season plagued by injuries as defender Ryan Frater limped off in the first half to join wideman Ryan Hawkins and Remy Gordon, and striker Drew Roberts, on the casualty list.