Banbury Utd 3 (Bridges 6, Redknap 58, Stone 90)

Hemel Hempstead Tn 0

Banbury United kept alive their hopes of beating the drop from the Premier Division with a magnificent victory against promotion-chasing Hemel Hempstead Town at Spen-cer Stadium on Saturday.

United’s winwas built on a rock-solid defensive display where the back three of Aaron Stringfellow, Luke Bennett and Ben Milner, were ably supported by Scott Bridges and Ollie Stanbridge.

With top scorer Nicky Gordon in America, United res-ponded well and immediately took the game to the Tudors, with three attacks in as many minutes before they took the lead in the sixth minute.

The livewire David Stone sent over a cross from the right which caused all sorts of problems for Hemel, and although Howard Forinton’s initial header was blocked, the ball fell to Bridges who fired the rebound low into the corner from five yards.

During the opening half-hour, Hemel keeper Ian Brown saved well from Forinton and Stone, while Joe Murrell at the other end did well to keep out an effort from Rashid Kamara.

Banbury got the all-important second goal in the 58th minute when Stone latched on to a long ball from the centre-circle, and sent a left-wing cross into the middle where George Redknap’s header went over the line despite Brown’s best efforts.

Banbury were now well on top, and in the 82nd minute, only a wonder save from Brown stopped Forinton from scoring when he flicked a fierce drive over the top, following a brilliant defence-splitting pass from Bridges.

Banbury were not to be denied though, and they completed the scoring in the first minute of injury time when Stone poked the ball home after receiving a graet pass from Forinton.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Stringfellow, Stanbridge, Milner, Bennett, Redknap, Haisley, Bridges, Stone, Forinton, Gardner (Blake 75). Subs not used: Buckwell, Peppiatt, Sambrook.

Attendance: 215.