BANBURY United’s Premier Division play-off hopes suffered a huge set-back as they lost 2-0 at Stratford Town on Saturday.

The Puritans made the worst of starts going behind in the sixth minute when a low cross from the right by Mike Taylor was struck home at the near post by Will Grocott.

Mike Ford’s men responded and controlled the play for long periods of the first hallf.

Tom Winters caused problems with two successive corners.

The first saw Marvin Martin shoot wide from 20 yards after gathering a poor clearance.

Three minutes later and a Winters corner from the right fell to Luke Carnell 12 yards out.

His his shot looked bound for the back of the net but home keeper Niall Cooper tipped the ball over the bar.

While Banbury continued to have the better of the game, it was Stratford who doubled their advantage three minutes before half-time.

Will Grocott’s free-kick from the right went to the far post where Wayne Thomas’s fierce shot was well saved by Jack Harding. But Mike Taylor was on hand to knock the loose ball home from close range.

In stoppage time, it was close to being 3-0 when Harding saved well from Taylor’s header.

Banbury had a penalty appeal turned down in the 52nd minute when Manny Duku appeared to be brought down, but the referee awarded a free-kick to the home side and booked Duku for simulation.

Further chances fell to Duku and substitute Conor McDonagh,but both fired over the bar.

In the 82nd minute it looked as though Banbury had found a way back into the game when Stratford’s Justin Marsden needlessly handled the ball inside the penalty area.

But Ricky Johnson’s fierce spot-kick low straight down the middle was saved by Cooper’s legs.

The hosts went close to extending their lead two minutes from time when a Grocott free-kick went just wide.

Banbury Utd: Harding, Odhiambo, Bradbury, Martin (Self HT), Westbrook, Carnell, McEachran, Nash, Johnson, Duku (McDonagh 62), Winters (Bell 83). Subs not used: Blackstock, Humphreys.

Attendance: 417.