Banbury United were overpowered as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat away to promotion-chasing Leamington in Saturday’s Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division clash.

Leamington’s physical approach found the visitors wanting.

Banbury’s best chance of the first half came in the 20th minute when David Stone latched on to a ball from midfield and easily outpaced Jamie Hood before firing straight at goalkeeper Tony Breeden.

The conditions were little short of awful with the swirling wind and a soft pitch ensuring that decent football would be a rarity.

Leamington took the lead in the third minute of injury-time before the break.

Following a display of head tennis in the Banbury six-yard box, substitute Alex Taylor diverted the ball into the roof of the net with almost his first touch of the ball.

Kicking down the slope in the second half, Leamington started to get on top.

Banbury went close in the 57th minute when a corner from the right by Jack Ashton came back off the bar.

Leamington doubled their lead in the 68th minute following a free-kick.

Luke Corbett sent in a powerful shot that was saved by keeper Joe Murrell, but Michael Tuohy knocked the rebound into the net.

Six minutes later, Leamington made the game safe.

A hurried clearance was brilliantly headed on by Corbett into the path of substitute Jacob Blyth, who rushed through the middle before knocking the ball past the stranded Murrell.

Banbury pulled a goal back in the 88th minute when Stone scored a brilliant individual goal.

After beating three defenders as he brought the ball into the danger area, Stone feinted to pass before screwing his shot into the net from an almost impossible angle.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, McDonald (Haisley 56), Maddox, Gordon, Learoyd, Stanbridge (Farquharson 56), Coleman, Benjamin (Martin 77), Stone, Staff, Ashton. Sub not used: Taylor.

Attendance: 626.

Didcot Town’s Premier Division game at Cambridge City and the Division 1 South & West matches involving Abingdon United and North Leigh were all abandoned due to waterlogged pitches.