January will be the crucial month if Banbury are to defy the odds and survive in Midlands 2 East.

Banbury play fellow strugglers Ampthill, Market Bosworth and Melton Mowbray next month and three wins will be vital if they are to claw back the six points they are from safety.

Coach Grant Holmes said: "There is still a long way to go in the season, but January now becomes a bit of a make or break month for us.

"We need to start winning and the New Year is the ideal opportunity to come out refreshed and ready to battle hard for the victories we require to stay up.

"We have to beat the other five teams in the bottom six to give ourselves the best chance of retaining our place in Midlands 2.

"And we play three of these five sides within the month of January.

"We will be working hard right through the Christmas and New Year period to ensure we are fully prepared."

Holmes added: "We need to learn to be patient, retain the ball and keep sustained pressure on our opposition and force them into making defensive errors.

"At the moment we are not holding onto the ball long enough to apply the necessary pressure."