BANBURY United recorded a superb 3-2 victory at high-flying Dunstable for their first Southern League Premier Division away win of the season.
The Puritans almost made the ideal start, but an effort from Laim Howards just five minutes in was ruled out for offside.
The hosts, third in the table, went ahead on 16 minutes when Gary Mulligan headed in a cross from the right.
Banbury equalised on 28 minutes when on-loan striker Josh Shama ran through to score.
Three minutes into the second period, the visitors went ahead when Luke Chambers saved a Carl Tappin shot, but Howards was on hand to net the rebound.
On 58 minutes, a cross from Jacob Walcott was converted by Darius Browne to put Banbury 3-1 ahead.
Dunstable pulled a goal back five minutes later through Chris Marsh.
And although the hosts threw everything at Banbury late on, Paul Davis’ side held on.
North Leigh slipped to a 2-1 loss at Cinderford Town in an eventful match in the Forest of Dean in Division 1 South & West
The hosts scored against the run of play through Adam Powell to take a half-time lead.
Callum McNish became the hero and villain for North Leigh after the break, equalising in the 55th minute, but then in the 75th minute was sent off following an off-the-ball incident.
North Leigh assistant manager Terry Merriman was also sent to the stands.
With five minutes to go, Jacob Morgan scored a header from a corner as Mark Gee’s side suffered another reverse.
Wantage Town had a night to forget as they went down 3-1 at home to Shortwood United.
Matt Bennett put the visitors ahead, but Wantage captain Tom Melledew levelled immediately.
Bennett’s second, a header, made it 2-1, and Nick Humphreys hit No 3 after the break.
To compound their misery, Xapi Arnau was sent off for a second booking five minutes from time.
- SAM Elkins is suspended for Didcot Town’s trip to Sholing in Division 1 South & West tonight.
The defender serves the second of a three-match ban following a red card at Clevedon, while Lance Williams (hamstring) is out.
Didcot Tn (v Sholing, away): from Foster, Carnell, Learoyd, Organ, Baines, McKirnan, Self, Haysham, Longford, Mills, Bernasconi, Heapy, Whitehead, Clark, Dutton-Black, Brooks, McKirnan.
- Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here