Banbury Utd 3 (Haisley 3, 63, Stone 90)

Hednesford Tn 2 (Dyer 12, 55)

A dramatic late headed goal from David Stone earned youthful Banbury a thrilling victory at home to Hednesford on Saturday in the Zamaretto Southern league.

The result lifted Banbury, who started with no fewer than six teenagers in their side, to sixth place in the Premier Division table.

Although Banbury, with an average age of 21, struggled to match their more organised opponents, they more than made up for that with sheer speed and determination.

They made a great start when they forced a corner in the third minute and Joe Coleman’s flag-kick was glanced home at the near post by Nathan Haisley.

Hednesford equalised in the 12th minute.

Elliott Durrell fed Tyrone Barnett, whose shot was saved by Joe Murrell, only for Ross Dyer to put the rebound into the open net.

Two minutes later, Banbury had a great chance to regain the lead when Glenn Walker shaped to go round visiting keeper Gavin Ward, who pulled off a great save.

The best chance of the first half fell just a minute before the break when Declan Benshot just wide of the far post, with the goal at his mercy.

Hednesford took the lead just after half-time, when Durrell crossed for Dyer to ghost in at the far post to score Against the run of play, Banbury equalised Nabil Shariff crossed to Stone. who in turn laid the ball back to Haisley. He drilled the ball low into the corner from the edge of the penalty area Durrell had an effort disallowed for offside, while Hednesford also had three shots cleared off the line as the hosts defended desperately.

In the last minute Banbury were awarded a free-kick, just outside the left corner of the penalty area.

Coleman’s kick was headed home by Stone to steal the points for Banbury.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Haisley, Martin, Mil-ner, Learoyd, Walker, Coleman, Benjamin (Redknap 76), Stone, Shariff, Ashton. Subs not used: Stringfellow, Stanbridge, For-inton.

Attendance: 284.