THE suspension of manager Darren Perrin had the desired effect as Chippenham collected their first points of 2007.

A 3-0 home win over Hitchin ended a four-match losing streak in the Southern Premier - a sequence that prompted the Hardenhuish Park board to order Perrin away from the dug-out pending a meeting on Wednesday when his fate will be decided.

Assistant Adie Mings took charge and his tactical tweaks paid off.

Mings opted to push winger Sean Seavil up front alongside Dave Gilroy and the pairing combined to put the Bluebirds ahead three minutes before the break when the former sent the latter clear.

Gilroy returned the favour early in the second half, crossing for Seavil to power home the second.

It was game over within 60 seconds when Kye Holly's quick free-kick caught Hitchin cold.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, below-par Cirencester suffered a 2-0 defeat at in-form Banbury. Bath City's 4-0 win at Gloucester moved them three points clear at the top of the table.