Josh Shama scored a second-half equaliser as Banbury United grabbed a deserved point in a 1-1 draw at the Spencer Stadium against the fourth-placed side in the Southern League Premier Division on Saturday.

But the result was not enough to lift the Puritans off the bottom.

Banbury, who gave a first start to recent signing Arron Wickham, had to absorb severe St Neots pressure with Jay Davies testing home keeper Leigh Bedwell with a free-kick which he grabbed at the second attempt.

A minute later, Bedwell tipped a 12-yard shot from Drew Roberts around a post after being set up by former Puritan Lewis Hilliard.

Bedwell then kept out a fierce shot from Hillier.

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Banbury started to get back into the game, with Walcott picking out the run of Shama but the Oxford United loanee’s shot flew wide.

However, on 25 minutes the visitors went ahead.

The referee adjudged that Tom Fishwick had clipped the leg of Roberts as he was running through, with Jay Davies converted the spot-kick low to Bedwell’s right hand side.

Banbury finished the half the stronger with Banbury’s other U’s loanee, Aiden Hawtin, firing wide.

Paul Davis’s side kept up the pressure and they were rewarded with the equaliser nine minutes into the second half. And what a goal it was.

Shama picked up a pass from Marvin Martin from just inside the St Neots half before charging forward and unleashing a fierce low drive from 25 yards which flew past Jamie Greygoose low down to his right.

Banbury briefly flickered, but St Neots turned up the heat with Bedwell denying Roberts shot from eight yards, before Bruce Wilson saw his effort rebound off a post.

Banbury almost won it at the death, but Elias Katsoloudi’s shot was blocked.

Banbury Utd: Bedwell, Cray, Msungwana, Martin, Fishwick, Ryan, Browne (Westbrook 90), Hawtin, Shama, Wickham (Howards 80), Walcott (Katsoloudi 89). Subs not used:Tappin, Hartigan.

Attendance: 281.

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