Bedford Tn 3

(Green 5, pen 32, Bell 85)

Banbury Utd 1

(Agyeman-Prempeh 2)

Scott Bridges was sent off as Banbury United’s poor away form in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division continued with defeat at Bedford Town.

Bridges saw red for a reckless tackle with five minutes to go as Banbury trailed 2-1.

And from the resulting free-kick when keeper Lewis Kidd dropped Mark Bell’s effort into his own net to leave Banbury beaten on the road for the third successive game.

United had got off to the best of starts by taking the lead after just two minutes.

A long crossfield pass from Jack Ashton found Harold Agyeman-Prempeh, who powered into the penalty area and slotted past Bedford keeper Ian Brown.

However, the lead lasted only three minutes as former Puritan Will Green shot home from eight yards.

Bedford went on to dominate the rest of the half, and they took a deserved lead in the 32nd minute when Chris Jackson fouled Green in the penalty area, and the same player got up to convert the spot-kick for his second goal.

Banbury enjoyed a good spell midway through the second half, putting the home side under some pressure and a free-kick from substitute Chris Lait brought a decent save from Brown low down to his right.

But Bridges’s dismissal and Kidd’s clanger sealed their fate.

Banbury Utd: Kidd, Cray, Martin, Blossom, Ashton, Agyeman-Prempeh (Sharif 75), Jackson (Lait 58), W Plowright, Skendi (Dumbleton 43), Bridges, Talabi. Subs not used: Fry, R Plowright.

Attendance: 226.