Banbury Utd 0, Rugby Utd 1

Banbury United failed to heed their manager Kevin Brock's warning about Rugby United's false position as the Warwickshire side went home with all three points in Dr Martens League Eastern Division.

In what was a typical local derby game there was little between the sides for the opening 15 minutes as both teams sought to create an opening.

Banbury went the closest to scoring, following a goalmouth scramble when Ady Fuller snatched at the ball, and although he got a deflection, Rugby 'keeper Paul Shepherd managed to smother the ball.

Near the half-hour mark Banbury were unlucky not to take the lead when Matty Gooderick's header from Jody McKay's cross was brilliantly turned round for a corner by Shepherd as the ball was about to squeeze just inside the post.

Robbie Beard went close at the other end with a crisp shot that had Simon Tricker diving at full stretch to turn away for a corner.

In the 40th minute it was Shepherd who again saved Rugby when he turned in mid-air to push the ball around his right-hand post for another corner from another Fuller effort.

It followed good work from Liam O'Neill and McKay on the left.

Rugby came out the sharper in the second-half, took the lead when a cross from the right was met by their captain, Craig Herbert, who looped his header back across the goal and into the top corner to put Rugby in front.

Banbury put in plenty of effort, but Rugby defended well and continued to frustrate the home side.

Banbury Utd: Tricker, Wallbridge, Joyce (Travers 82), Sullivan, Simpson, Fuller, Corbett, Muckelberg, O'Neill (Redknap 62), Gooderick, McKay. Sub not used: Essex.

Attendance: 344