Banbury United got back to winning ways in the Calor League Premier Division after a hard-fought victory in appalling conditions at Spencer Stadium on Saturday.

A first-half goal from Marvin Martin was enough to move the Puritans up to eighth place. Play was held up for ten minutes due to a storm.

Edwin Stein’s team started the stronger, with a cross from Martin deceiving Steve Oliver in the Bideford goal, before hitting the bar.

Oliver then denied Leon Simpson.

And their pressure told when the hosts went ahead.

A Luke Cray cross came in and as Simpson challenged Oliver, it fell to the onrushing Martin, who headed in from five yards.

Simpson had a great chance to double Banbury’s lead, but headed over .

After the break, Banbury were indebted to their keeper, Kwame Fordah, for preserving their lead.

He denied Kevin Squire, before pulling off a brilliant stop, diving low to his right to keep out a superb free- kick from Nick Barker.

On 77 minutes, Fordah dived low to his left to deflect Craig Duff’s low drive up and over the bar.

With no further alarms, Banbury held on.

Banbury Utd: Fordah, Cray, Bridges, McNulty, Mbamarah, Ryan, Green, Martin, Simpson, Lawless, Pinto. Subs not used: Joao, Barker.

Attendance: 229.

Meanwhile, North Leigh and Didcot Town’s Division 1 South & West games were called off.