Mangotsfield Utd 1 (Hobbs 25)

Banbury Utd 0

New boss Billy Jeffrey has his work cut out after Banbury produced a dour performance at Mangotsfield to drop into the Premier Division relegation zone on Saturday.

Their cause was not helped with the news that George Redknap had left the club, and although Ben Milner’s return saw him partner Nicky Gordon up front, Banbury’s attacking threat diminished as the game wore on.

The turning point came midway through the first half when a hopeful punt upfield from Neill Arndale deflected into the path of Robert Hobbs, who kept his cool to steer the ball past Joe Murrell in the Banbury goal.

Banbury applied pressure on the home defence, with Howard Forinton’s long-range effort hitting the top of the net.

After the break, a neat move ended with Nathan Haisley’s 20-yard effort flying just wide.

The home side defended stoutly, and when Banbury did breach the Mangotsfield defence, the woodwork came to the home side’s rescue.

Banbury were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area, and Jon Gardner beat the defensive wall, only to see his 20-yard effort crash against the crossbar before being hacked clear.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Stringfellow, Stan-bridge (Peppiatt 68), Buckwell, Bennett, Haisley, Travers, Forinton, Milner (Gardner 51), Gordon, Groves. Subs not used: Reeves, Sambrook, Wheeler.

Attendance: 168.