Banbury United's Premier Division play-off hopes are fading fast following their 2-0 home defeat in a sub-standard game.

Kevin Brock's side were probably the better of two poor sides, but Northwood's debutant goalkeeper Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz, on loan from Barnet, kept them at bay.

It could have been so different if Darren Pond's shot after just 30 seconds had not been tipped onto a post to deny Banbury a dream start.

In the 31st minute, Northwood should have taken the lead when Wayne Blossom handled the ball in the box following a free-kick.

But Peter Dean hit the bar from the resulting penalty, and Chris Jackson scrambled the ball away to safety.

In first-half injury time, Northwood took the lead when Dean headed the ball home via the crossbar, following a corner.

Ten minutes into the second-half, Northwood made it 2-0 when Bradley Hewitt rose completely unchallenged to head another corner powerfully home.

Then, with the home defence in disarray, Danny Julienne struck the top of the bar.

In the 58th minute, Tom Foley was denied when a Northwood defender handled the ball to prevent a certain goal.

But the referee waved play on to end hopes of a revival.

As the game neared it's end, Banbury piled forward, and the visitor's defence did well to survive, but it was all too-little-too-late', as United's roller-coaster of a season moved o Banbury Utd: Thornton, Bridges, Szczukiewicz (Kinch 46), Sullivan, Jackson (Foley 46), Pond, Stanbridge, Redknap (Lamb 63), Forinton, Blossom, Gardner.

Attendance: 346.