GIORGIO Rasulo struck a last-gasp winner as Banbury United made the perfect start to life in Vanarama National League North.

The captain's penalty in the closing stages secured a 2-1 victory at Curzon Ashton after Jack Stevens scored the Puritans’ first goal as a step-two club early in the second half.

The ex-Oxford United trainee then won the late spot-kick after Tom Peers levelled.

Banbury manager Andy Whing named summer signings Jak Hickman and Josh Smile in his line-up, with new arrival Ben Radcliffe among the substitutes.

The latter was promoted to the starting XI when Kelvin Langmead picked up an injury in the warm-up.

The visitors showed no sign of opening-day nerves and Morgan Roberts saw a tame shot saved by Chris Renshaw midway through the first half, before the goalkeeper twice thwarted Stevens and denied Rasulo.

The second period was just two minutes old when Banbury took the lead, Stevens racing clear to finally beat Renshaw one-on-one.

Peers and George Waring missed big chances to equalise, before the former converted Craig Mahon’s cross in the 68th minute.

Banbury looked set to take a respectable point, but it was about to get better.

Stevens took a knock in the box and needed treatment, with Rasulo staying calm during the delay to fire the Puritans to victory.