Basement club Banbury gave Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division high-fliers Chesham a big fright before having to settle for a 1-1 draw.

It was a much-improved display from Banbury, who made a bright start, with Jordan Green and Darius Browne being denied by visiting keeper Shane Gore.

They deservedly took the lead after 12 minutes when a free kick taken by Luke Cray was not cleared and the ball fell to Green, whose dipping shot from nthe edge of the penalty area flew into the top corner of the net.

Two fine saves from keeper Leigh Bedwell kept Banbury ahead at the break.

But Chesham upped the pace in the second half.

Bedwell tipped over a shot from Ryan Blake and it looked as though Banbury would hang on.

But in the 81st minute, Toby Little fired in a free-kick from wide on the right which blew into the far corner of the net for Chesham’s equaliser.

Banbury thought they had regained the lead late onwhen a Ben Whitehead free-kick from midway was headed home by Ryan, but it was correctly ruled out for offside.

Banbury Utd: Bedwell, Cray, Martin, Meade, Tappin (Westbrook 90), Ryan, Green, Martin (Jervis 68), Howards, Walcott, Browne (Whitehead 81). Subs not used: Hayden, Strafford.

Attendance: 219.

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