BANBURY United’s seven-match unbeaten run in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division came to an end in a 2-1 defeat at home to Frome Town.

Ricky Johnson fired the Puritans into the lead, but second-half goals from Daniel Cleverley and Corby Moore condemned Mike Ford’s side to their first defeat since August 29.

The visitors enjoyed the better of the opening stages, with Jake Jackson firing wide from 20 yards.

But Banbury took the lead against the run of play on 21 minutes when Johnson latched on to Jack Westbrook’s long ball and fired high into the net from a narrow angle.

The goal lifted the hosts and Andy Gunn went close to doubling their lead on 34 minutes, but his header just went wide, before Johnson’s dinked effort landed on the roof of the net.

After the break, Mark Bell fed Johnson who fired over from 20 yards out, but on 55 minutes Frome were level.

Jon Davies delivered a corner from the left and Cleverley glanced home past Puritans goalkeeper Jack Harding at the near post.

Banbury could have retaken the lead just after the hour, but, under pressure from Clayton Green, Johnson could only fire Bell’s cross over the bar from close range.

And that miss proved costly as Frome made it 2-1 on 69 minutes.

Davies was once again involved as his cross was headed across Harding at the far post by Moore and into the corner of the net.

The Purtians were unable to threaten the Frome defence, but they did have the ball in the back of the visitors’s net on 87 minutes.

Johnson flicked on Darius Browne’s free-kick to Marvin Martin, who headed across goal for substitute Conor McDonagh to nod home on the line.

But the Puritans striker was penalised for the push on goalkeeper Kyle Phillips and the goal was disallowed.

Banbury Utd: Harding, Westbrook (White 56), Martin, Nash, Carnell, Gunn, Self, Jeacock (McDonagh 66), Johnson, McEachran, Bell (Browne 73). Subs not used: Odhiambo, Rimmer.

Attendance: 344.