Banbury Utd 1,

Dartford Tn 1

Banbury United had to battle back from a goal down as they held a resolute Dartford side to a draw in Saturday's Dr Martens League Eastern Division clash.

It was Dartford who took the lead on nine minutes when their danger man, Tostao Kwashi took the ball off Ady Fuller on the right byeline, and crossed for Paul Sykes to hammer home.

Two minutes later, the visitors had the ball in the net again, following a Kwashi cross from the left, but the referee ruled the effort out for a foul on Banbury's keeper Simon Tricker.

Banbury went close to an equaliser in the 16th minute, when George Redknap chested the ball into the path of Chris Potter, only for his left-foot shot to go just past a post.

The home side kept battling away and equalised when Ollie Stanbridge headed home after the keeper James Tedder could only parry a header from Justin Lee, who was making his league debut for Banbury.

It followed a free-kick from Tricker inside his own half.

Potter went close in the 63rd minute when his fierce header sailed inches wide, as Banbury continued to push forward in the second half, and they also spurned a good chance in the 65th minute.

Lee's superb cross found Redknap, whose diving header went wide.

Dave Billington went close with a 20-yard drive minutes later.

But for all their dominance in midfield, 19-year-old debutant goalkeeper Tedder did not have to make another save.

His defence protected him well, but Banbury have to beat teams like Dartford at home if they want to get promotion to the Premier Division.

Banbury Utd: Tricker, Blossom, Fuller, Sullivan, Allen, Robinson, Stanbridge, Billington, Potter, Redknap (71 mins. Simms), Lee. Subs not used: Jackson, O'Neill, Eldridge, Stidder.

Attendance: 343.