Banbury Utd 2 (Stone 2, 53)

Bedford Tn 0

Banbury United eased their Premier Division relegation worries as two goals from David Stone gave them victory over Bedford on Saturday.

Deducted a point in midweek for fielding an improperly registered player, Banbury were slipping close to the drop zone, but this win allows them to breathe more easily.

They got off to a dream start in the second minute when Bedford keeper Ian Brown, under pressure from Nathan Haseley, dropped the ball and Stone lashed it home.

Banbury almost went further ahead in the 13th minute when Haisley’s shot fooled Brown as it was deflected onto the post.

Bedford started to get the lion’s share of possession, but could not get past Banbury’s defensive trio of Robbie Maddox, Adam Learoyd and Delroy Gordon.

In first-half injury time, Brown kept his side in the game with an instinctive goal-line save from Haisley.

Brown made another great save from Coleman early in the second half.

But in the 53rd minute, Stone doubled Banbury’s lead, firing home from the edge of the penalty area from Henry Rose’s pass.

Banbury got stronger as the game wore on.

In fact, such was their defensive dominance that keeper Joe Murrell hardly had a shot to save throughout.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Farquharson (Stanbridge 70), Maddox, Gordon, Learoyd, Haisley, Coleman, Benjamin, Stone, Rose, Staff. Subs not used: McDonald, Polk.

Attendance: 243.