BANBURY United must pull off a miracle if they are to retain their Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division status.

A 2-0 defeat at high-flying Poole Town last night leaves Paul Davis’s side needing to win their final three games of the season to have any chance to avoiding the drop.

And even if they pick up the maximum nine points, Banbury have to hope that Frome Town fail to collect two points from their final three games.

Tom Whelan put Poole into a half-time lead, and Richard Gillespie’s goal on 54 minutes ensure victory, and maintained the hosts’ promotion ambitions.

  •  BANBURY’S Oxfordshire Senior Cup final against North Leigh will take place at the Kassam Stadium on Thursday, May 7 (7.45).