Banbury United are now ten points away from safety after a poor defensive display saw them suffer another home Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division defeat in a 4-2 reverse to Chippenham Town.

The Puritans never recovered after conceding three early goals to Chippenham, even though they fought back valiantly in the second half.

Chippenham took the lead in the 17th minute when a cross from the right by Jordan Roberts saw Charlie Griffin knock the ball home at the far post.

The dangerous Griffin doubled the lead in the 34th minute when he fired in at the far post, following a headed flick-on by Mark Preece.

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Four minutes later, Banbury were opened up again, when Ashan Holgate had time to control the ball and fire past keeper Leigh Bedwell to make it 3-0.

Banbury’s leading scorer Leam Howards came on at the start of the second half and pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute when knocking in Marvin Martin’s pass.

But any hopes of a comeback were dashed just four minutes later when an in-swinging corner from the left, taken by Michael Pook, saw Alex Ferguson head in.

Banbury’s second goal came in the 79th minute when Hicham Abdellah’s free-kick found its way into the net without anyone touching it.

Banbury Utd: Bedwell, Walcott, Martin, Fishwick, Tappin (Lewars 84), Ryan, Green, Westbrook (Daffern 70), Isaac, Weston (Howards 46), Abdellah. Subs not used: Browne, Cray.

Attendance: 328.