Controversy surrounded Banbury United’s British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division 1-0 defeat at Chippenham Town as two crucial linesman’s decisions went against the visitors.

The Puritans felt that the ball hadn’t crossed the line for Chippen-ham’s goal, while at the other end, Chris Snoddy was adjudged not to have taken the ball over the line while fielding a free-kick.

A depleted Banbury side fought well in the first half.

But with Ben Milner and Stephan Morley moving to pastures new, Stevie Howkins and Stuart Bridges unavailable through holiday and work respectively, and Kameron Abassi injury, they were always going to have their work cut out.

To add to their woes, they were reduced to ten men with 38 minutes left when captain Mark Essex was given his marching orders, following a second yellow card.

Luke Bennett, who was a colossus for Banbury at the back, went close early on, before then clearing off his own line.

At the break, the score was still blank, thanks mainly to Bennett and Andy Wheeler.

But three minutes after the interval, Chippenham took the lead.

Cortez Belle’s effort looked to have been cleared off the line, but the linesman indicated that the ball had already crossed the line.

In the 52nd minute, Essex won the ball by the corner flag, but was ruled to have also fouled the player, and United were down to ten men.

Although the impetus was now with Chippenham, Banbury gave everything.

But they always looked as if they would struggle to get a goal back.

And although a free-kick from Scott Bridges was stopped from going under the bar by Snoddy, who had the whole of his body over the line in making the save, the points went to Chippenham.

Banbury Utd: Wheeler, Stringfellow (Bryan 81), Kinch, Essex, Bennett, Stanbridge, Peppiatt (Robinson 50), Sc Bridges, Forinton, Gordon, Travers (Drummond 54). Subs not used: Sambrook, Sullivan.

Attendance: 391.