A goal three minutes into first-half injury time sent Banbury to a 1-0 defeat at home to Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division play-off contenders AFC Totton in a desperately tight game.

Ryan Moss’s near-post flick from a left-wing cross, was all that separated the teams at Spencer Stadium.

Banbury were without two of their strikers through injury, and although Ricky Johnson won everything in the air against Totton’s Ross Bottomley, no-one could benefit from his flick-ons.

For Banbury, Andy Kemp made three good saves, as Totton’s robust play unsettled them.

Liam Dolman and Ben Thackeray looked strong at the back and kept the visitors at bay.

A compliment to Banbury was that Totton resorted to time-wasting tactics from five minutes into the second-half.

This was anything but a dirty game, and it was hard to believe that Banbury got five yellow cards to Totton’s one.

Banbury Utd: Kemp, Coleman, Polk, Dolman, Thackeray, Emery (Richardson 69), Howell, Cole, Johnson, Angus (Kinch 56), Williams. Subs not used: Chilton, Lamb.

Attendance: 271.