BANBURY recorded their first away victory in the Dr Martens Eastern Division on Saturday to ease their fears of relegation.

Jimmy Simpson was inspirational on his return to the team, scoring the crucial goal agaianst Burnham, while Ben Milner gave them that extra edge up front, and Keiran Sullivan and Andy Wallbridge marshalled the defence well.

The visitors had the better of things in the opening quarter, but it was Burnham who went closest in the 16th minute.

Following a corner, Frank McCormack saw his shot brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Steve Smith, and from the resulting corner, Smith did it again, this time foiling Paul Brett's angled drive.

United's first chance came in the 19th minute when Jody McKay headed a cross back across goal, but George Redknap's header went just wide.

Simpson, back after a one-week suspension, struck in the 25th minute from 20 yards, firing a powerful shot past the unsighted Danny Honey to give Banbury a deserved lead. With Milner holding the ball well up front, it allowed the midfield to move forward, with the result that United were not continually defending every time a forward move broke down.

The introduction of Mark Essex on the left of midfield gave Banbury extra impetus and they should have made the game safe in the 80th minute.

Burnham lost the ball in midfield as they pushed up looking for an equaliser, and Simpson raced clear. But as he tried to chip Honey, the Burnham keeper made a good save, and smothered the ball at the second attempt.

Six minutes later, sheer persistence by Simpson found Matty Gooderick homing in towards goal on the right, but again Honey made a great save to palm away Gooderick's fierce shot.

In injury time, Steve Jenkins almost made it 2-0

Banbury: Smith, Wallbridge, Muckelberg, Sullivan, Simpson, Fuller, Corbett, Redknap, Milner (Jenkins 90), Gooderick, McKay (Essex 79). Sub not used: L Travers.

Attendance: 141.