Billy Beechers's second-half goal saw Abingdon United to a home draw against Banbury United This friendly between two British Gas Business Southern League clubs was far from placid and two players were sent off close to the final whistle.

The Premier Division visitors went ahead in the eighth minute when a long hopeful ball was taken by keeper Simon Tricker only for the challenge of Wayne Blossom to force the ball out of his hands.

With no whistle from the referee, Blossom tapped the ball home.

Tricker was called on ten minutes later to divert a fierce drive from a free-kick just outside the box that flew through the wall, and he dived left to palm the ball away.

Abingdon were guilty of throwing many high balls forward allowing the taller visitors defenders, especially Ben Milner, to win most in the air.

This blunted the home side's threat of using their pace to unsettle the Banbury rearguard.

Both sides made a few changes in the second half, and Abingdon upped the pace and posed a greater challenge.

In the 65th minute, a central through ball by Michael Alexis saw Beechers ride a challenge, speed away to draw the visiting keeper and slip it past him into the net.

Again neither team could produce any chances of merit before the end.

Then a moment of madness a few minutes from the final whistle resulted in the double sending off.

Ryan Brooks was fouled twice in succession and retaliated only for a melee of players to end with Brooks and Mark Essex getting their marching orders.

Meanwhile, Oxford City ended their pre-season with a 2-0 defeat at Bedworth United.

Both the goals came early in the first half, and City were let down by some poor finishing after the break.