Farnborough 1 (Charles 32)

Banbury Utd 0

Banbury United made Premier Division leaders Farnborough fight all the way on Saturday, but Kieran Sullivan’s men are still without an away league victory this season after this narrow defeat.

The opening exchanges were fairly even, and Banbury’s defence coped well with the home side’s main threat, which was to hoist long balls up the middle, and played into Banbury’s hands.

The game was decided by a classy piece of football just after the half-hour.

Adam Wilde received the ball wide on the left, and he took it on before sending in a perfect cross which found top scorer Michael Charles, and his point blank header gave Joe Murrell no chance.

To their credit, Banbury’s heads never dropped, but they found the experienced Farnborough defence in top form.

Strikers Nicky Gordon and Jon Gardner found it very difficult to carve out any worthwhile chances.

During the second half, Banbury could still not get any change out of the home side’s defence.

But in the last 20 minutes they had the majority of the play and forced Farnborough on the back foot as they struggled to get back on terms.

Although they forced a rush of corners, Farnborough held firm for the three points.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Stringfellow, Kelly, Buckwell, Bennett, Stanbridge, Travers, Groves, Forinton, Gordon, Gardner (Redknap 70). Subs not used: Peppiatt, Sambrook, Wheeler, Reeves.

Attendance: 602.