BEDFORD TOWN 1 BANBURY UNITED 1

Banbury extended their unbeaten run to six games with a point at the New Eyrie on Saturday, against a Bedford side that managed to lift themselves out of the relegation places with this point.

Banbury dominated the first-half without carving out a decent goal-scoring chance, and in fact it was difficult to see where a goal would come from, neither ‘keeper being troubled throughout the first 45 minutes. Bedford’s defence always seemed to be troubled by United’s pace, but just when Banbury got themselves a shooting opportunity, they would pass the ball, with no-one having the confidence to try their luck.

The only difference after the interval was that Bedford came more into the game, and in fact they took the lead in the 58th minute, following good work from Ian Draycott who beat Joe Murrell wide on the left, and his cross left Craig Daniel with the easiest of tap-ins to put the Eagles in front.

Banbury now had to be more positive and 20 minutes later, following a bout of substitutions, United found the equaliser. Joe Coleman took a long throw from the right which deceived Eddie Lawley into handling the ball in the penalty area, and Jason Taylor slotted the spot-kick home to give United a share of the points.

Banbury at last woke up in the final quarter-hour, and went close within a minute of the equaliser when Taylor chested the ball into the path of Lewis Hilliard, but ‘keeper Mike Armitt was equal to the effort. Then, in the third minute of injury time, Eagles defender Stuart Wall saved his side with a fantastic tackle which deflected the ball away for a corner, denying Hilliard’s goal-bound shot after Armitt was beaten.

Team :- Murrell, Stanbridge (65 mins, Taylor), Martin, Milner, Learoyd, Haisley, Coleman, Benjamin (75 mins. Redknap), Stone, Shariff (71 mins. Hilliard), Staff. Subs :- (not used) Ashton, Foster

Attendance – 260