Three goals in the first four minutes set the tone for an extraordinary first half in Banbury's thrilling 3-3 draw in the BGB Southern League Premier Division match at Hitchin Town on Saturday.

The hosts took the lead in the third minute when Banbury conceded a needless free-kick wide on the left, and David Deeney's free-kick was headed in at the far post by Paul Barnes.

However, Banbury were level within 40 seconds when Nicky Gordon crossed the ball from the right wing and Craig Pearman fired the ball home from just inside the penalty area.

Amazingly, within a further 40 seconds, Hitchin had regained the lead.

Mark Barnes was allowed the room to surge forward, and his shot from 18 yards gave Joe Murrell little chance.

Banbury went close when the hard-working Troy Bryan had an effort well saved by home keeper Martin Bennett.

However, the visitors did equalise in the 25th minute following some excellent work from Bryan.

Despite being fouled, he managed to put Gordon away with a great pass, and the striker easily beat Bennett from 15 yards.

Banbury took the lead in the 39th minute when Pearman played a ball into space behind the Hitchin defence.

Bennett, under severe pressure from Bryan, only cleared the ball to Gordon, who sent the ball around the keeper to net from 15 yards for his second of the game.

Both defences, understandably, tightened up after the half-time break, although Banbury did get the ball into the net in the 53rd minute through Wayne Blossom.

But the fact that he put the keeper in the net as well, caused the goal to be disallowed.

Hitchin levelled in the 61st minute when substitute Kaan Fehmi slipped the ball to Ieuan Lewis, who sent a fierce shot past Murrell from the edge of the area.

f=Helvetica s=6Banbury Utd: Murrell, Stuart Bridges, Kinch, Essex, Baird, Fuller, Blossom, Williams, Bryan (Milner 73), Gordon, Pearman. Subs not used: Sambrook, McKay, Wheeler, Sullivan.

Attendance: 364.