Midlands Division 2 East: Banbury's relegation worries continued as they went down 16-14 at home to fellow strugglers Northampton Old Scouts.

The home side were not helped by a referee whose interpretation of the ruck area allowed Scouts to slow down any quick possession Banbury looked to generate.

From the outset, Scouts' bodies appeared on the wrong side of the tackle, blocking quick release of the ball, but they went unpunished.

Playing into a strong wind, Banbury trailed only 6-0 to two penalty kicks after 40 minutes when flanker Jono Court was sin-binned for stamping.

A man down, the home side were stung into action and a minute into injury time, they ignored a kickable penalty to run the ball. Skipper Matt McNally was brought down a metre short and Ed Cummings picked up to drive over under the posts for Matt Goode to convert.

Scouts replied with an unconverted try early in the second half, and the home side were reduced to 14 men again when the referee sin-binned lock Richard Jeyes, even though players from both sides were involved in a fracas.

This proved expensive as the visitors snatched another try to lead 16-7.

Banbury full back Duncan Ferg- uson pulled off two wonderful cover tackles to prevent further tries, and with five minutes left, Cummings again drove over from close range, Goode converting.

Banbury sensed that the match could be won, but another controversial decision two minutes from the end cost them dearly.

Scouts yet again dived over the breakdown to deny Banbury the ball, but the referee awarded the penalty against the home side.