Super Darren Pond scored with his first touch to give Banbury a 2-1 win at home to Southern League Premier Division rivals Rugby in Monday's local derby.

Pond came on in the 64th minute and made a sensational impact as he met a clearance by the Rugby defence and volleyed home from 20 yards for the winner.

After a 40-minute delay when six Rugby players were caught up in traffic, Banbury called the tune early on.

George Redknap hit a post with a 15th-minute header, and Banbury went ahead through Jon Gardner just before the break.

The visitors did not take long to equalise in the second half, when Delroy Gordon ran through to make it 1-1.

And after Pond had put Banbury in front again, Gordon almost snatched a point when his shot was kicked off the line by Tommy Kinch.

Banbury had the last word, however, when Wayne Blossom saw his shot hit the crossbar.

Banbury: Tricker, Robinson, Kinch, Redknap, Saulsbury, Fuller, Stanbridge, Lamb (Sullivan 86), Blossom, Baird (Pond 64), Gardner (Lazarus 64). Sub not used: Foster.

Banbury were unable to hold third-placed King's Lynn on Saturday.

Wayne Blossom had an early chance for the visitors, following good work by John Hicks, but it was the hosts who took the lead after 20 minutes.

Banbury keeper Alan Foster did well to deny Jack Defty from close range, but was helpless as Defty acrobatically turned in the resulting Adam Smith corner.

Lynn began the second half strongly, with Matt Nolan and Defty going close. West should have scored on the hour, but his effort was cleared by Tommy Kinch.

The goal finally came in the 76th minute. Cedric Anselinn played the ball into to Defty, who finished deftly.

Banbury: Tricker, Robinson, Kinch, Redknap, Saulsbury, Fuller, Stanbridge, Lamb (Sullivan 86), Blossom, Baird (Pond 64), Gardner (Lazarus 73). Sub not used: Foster.

Attendance: 356.