FA TROPHY - Farnborough 2, Banbury Utd 0: Banbury United's interest in the competition ended in a disappointing defeat against the Conference South side in Hampshire on Saturday.

The injury-hit Puritans, who were without the strikeforce of Andy Baird and Jon Gardner, took the game to Farnborough, but could not turn their early advantage into goals.

However, they were left with a mountain to climb when they gifted Frank Gray's side the opening goal on 20 minutes.

There appeared to be no danger when the ball was played back to defender Les Robinson. However, the former Oxford United defender took the ball across the face of his own penalty area, only to see Carl Gibbs whip it off his toe and slot the ball past the stranded Simon Tricker.

Despite the blow, Banbury battled back, with Wayne Blossom's header going the wrong side of a post after Ollie Stanbridge had flicked on Ady Fuller's cross.

They were to rue that miss when Farnborough made it 2-0 just before the break when a header from Paul Harkness deflected off Banbury defender Kieran Sullivan into the net.

In the second half, Banbury, were unlucky not to claw a goal back when Farnborough's debutant keeper Mark Davidson somehow kept out Jody McKay's point-blank header after Stanbridge had set him up.

Although Banbury kept going forward, they were unable to break down a Farnborough defence that have let in only three goals at home all season.

Banbury Utd: Tricker, Robinson, Kinch, Sullivan, Redknap, Fuller, Stanbridge, Lamb (Nicholls 65), Gooderick, Blossom, McKay. Subs (not used): Jackson, Johnson, Goddard, Foster.

Attendance: 466.