Banbury Utd 1 (Stone )

Merthyr Tydfil 1 (Harris 87)

Banbury United boosted their chances of escaping the drop with a draw against Merthyr which lifted them out of the relegation zone.

A strike from David Stone looked like being enough to seal Banbury’s fourth straight win, only for Merthyr to equalise three minutes from time.

All their relegation rivals play this week, so it could mean they have to win their last game at leaders Corby Town next Saturday to stay up.

Having weathered early pressure, Banbury took the lead when David Stone cut inside, and drew keeper Ryan Griffiths out before slipping the ball past him and into the far corner of the net for a superb goal.

It followed an excellent run and cut-back from Jon Gardner.

Banbury had plenty of chances to increase their lead going into the second-half.

Ten minutes from time, Stone was set-up by Gardner, but fluffed his shot and the ball drifted wide.

And Banbury were made to pay for missing their chances when Matt Harris fired through a crowded goal-mouth from 15 yards to set up a nerve-wracking finale to the season for Banbury.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Stringfellow, Stanbridge, Bennett, Milner, Redknap, Blake, Sambrook (46 mins. Haisley), Stone, Gordon, Gardner (88 mins. Bridges). Subs (not used) Peppiatt, Bryan, Buckwell.

Attendance: 449.