UNITED came flying out of the blocks in a storming start but were left to rue missed chances as the league leaders reasserted their control before dominating the second half.

After good signs against Shepshed Rod Brown's side were fired up and Paul Danks was inches away from connecting with a low, hard Ian Mitchell centre in the 11th minute.

Within a minute, Michael Campbell had opened United's account after running onto a booming header from re-signed fans' favourite Lee Knight.

His clinical finish, left-footed from 20 yards gave the Valley faithful a a sense of optimism.

The impressive Neil Cartwright should have done better with his finish after ghosting past three players on 28 minutes.

And Richard Field headed over after Danks embarassed Nathan Rudge who had sparked the customary Redditch brawl moments earlier with a crude lunge on United's leading scorer.

Steve Frost robbed Lee Vickerman with a cruching challenge a minute before the break and sent Danks clear but after rounding keeper Dave Mogg, Danks saw his shot spectacularly cleared off the line by Shane Andrews.

It proved the turning point as Scott Colcombe missed a clearance in the area in first half injury time and James Bent fired home against the run of play.

Two minutes after the restart Bent had a second, firing home a half volley from 20 yards after a Vickerman long ball and the hosts fell apart.

Teenage keeper Chris Scott did enough to put off Andrews after an hour but four minutes later Chippenham had a third when Scott failed to deal with a corner and captain Steve Tweedle turned and scored from five yards.

Tweedle missed three more chances as United folded in the dying minutes and Grantley Dicks escaped a red card after clotheslining Campbell three minutes from time.