DAVID Stone scored the winner for the second game in a row as Banbury United boosted their hopes of escaping relegation from the Premier Division of the BGB Southern League with victory in their Bank Holiday Monday derby clash.

On Saturday, Stone got the winner as Banbury beat Bashley 1-0, and yesterday he did it again as Banbury moved level on points with Hitchin and Rugby Town who stay out of the drop zone on goal difference.

But Billy Jeffrey’s side did it the hard way coming from behind to clinch their first away victory of the season.

The only minus point for Banbury was the suspected broken rib suffered by striker Howard Forinton that looks like ruling him out of the run-in.

Banbury started well with Forinton flashing a shot wide early on, while at the other end, keeper Joe Murrell made a good stop from Elliot Sandy.

On 38 minutes, Banbury were forced into a change when Forinton limped off after he collided with the Brackley keeper Jack Goode as they both went for a high ball.

That appeared to unsettle Banbury who allowed Ben Mackey to fire Brackley ahead.

However, their advantage did not last long, with Forinton’s replacement Nicky Gordon levelling a minute later from the penalty spot after Stone, whose strong running and close control caused Brackley problems throughout, was brought down clumsily by Danny Spencer.

Just after the break, Ashley Blake was unlucky not to give Banbury the lead when his header bounced up and over the bar from Jon Gardner’s excellent cross.

Minutes after Goode denied Stone, Banbury defender Luke Bennett, who was outstanding, made a goal-saving challenge on Mackey as he burst through on goal.

Banbury had a lucky escape when Murrell allowed a shot from Sandy to slip through his grasp, with George Redknap making a terrific clearance.

Stone was again denied by Goode at his near post as Banbury kept up the pressure.

Brackley had a great chance to restore their lead on 76 minutes when Sandy somehow blazed over inside the six-yard box after Mackey set him up.

Minutes later, Stone showed Brackley how to finish when he crashed home Gordon’s cross for the winner.

Although Brackley pushed hard for the equaliser, Banbury held on to spark wild celebrations among their travelling supporters.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Stringfellow, Stanbridge, Milner, Bennett, Redknap, Haisley, Blake, Stone, Forinton (Gordon 38), Gardner (Sambrook 71). Subs not used: Buckwell, Bryan, Peppiatt.

Attendance: 636.