Banbury Utd 0, Chesham Utd 1: Banbury United produced their worst performance of the season as they slumped to a home defeat in Saturday's lacklustre Southern League Premier Divison contest.

Missing the suspended Paul Lamb, the Puritans lacked spark and can have no complaints about the result.

Chesham's top-scorer Garry Sippetts missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring as early as the third minute, when he shot well wide of Simon Tricker's goal.

Although the visitors set the pace in the first half, Banbury looked more likely to break the deadlock, with Andy Baird causing problems in the Chesham defence.

Ollie Stanbridge was also a thorn in the visitors' side as he combined well with Wayne Blossom on the right, but chances were few and far between.

In the 34th minute, Chesham's giant keeper Darren Bonfield made a great save, pushing the ball around the post from George Redknap's shot on the turn.

Chesham broke what looked like a stalemate on the hour.

A cross from the right found the unmarked Sippetts at the far post and, with Tricker rooted to his line, he headed home.

With the introduction of substitutes Chris Potter and Matty Gooderick, Banbury looked for the equaliser

They went close when a shot from Darren Pond skimmed the crossbar with Bonfield beaten

And in the 85th minute, Banbury had a great chance to draw level.

A free-kick from the right-hand side saw Pond drive the ball into the middle, where Redknap timed his jump to perfection.

But his header was brilliantly thwarted by Bonfield, who made another full-stretch fingertip save to deny Banbury a draw.

Banbury Utd: Tricker, Blossom, Kinch, Sullivan, Pond, Fuller, Stanbridge, King (58 mins. Gooderick), Redknap, Baird, Gardner (58 mins. Potter). Subs (not used): McKay, Jackson.

Attendance: 444.