Banbury Utd 2 (Stone 40, 53)

Rugby Tn 1 (Murphy pen 70)

David Stone bagged a brace as Banbury United returned to winning ways in an entertaining Premier Division clash on Saturday.

Stone’s double either side of half-time means Banbury are just a point outside the play-offs.

The visitors could have taken a shock lead early on, but Banbury keeper Joe Murrell produced a good save to deny Matt Brown.

At the other end, Declan Benjamin was thwarted by home keeper Andrew Stevens, while Jason Taylor’s flicked header came back off a post into Stevens’ arms.

But Banbury were not to be denied, and Stone slotted home the opener five minutes before the break after an immaculate Taylor pass.

Early in the second half, Banbury’s appeals for a penalty when Taylor was brought down in the six-yard box were waved away.

But moments later, the lead was doubled when Stone latched on to a Benjamin through ball to slip it wide of Stevens.

Rugby were awarded a hotly-disputed penalty when youngster James Baldwin was adjudged to have brought a forward down in the box. Gez Murphy sent Murrell the wrong way from the spot.

Stone set up Benjamin for a chance in the 79th minute, but his fierce shot was blocked on the line and then scrambled clear.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, McDonald, Martin, Milner, Baldwin, Haisley, Coleman, Benjamin, Stone, Taylor (Shariff 65), Ashton. Subs not used: Gardner, Redknap, Stanbridge, Learoyd.

Attendance: 319.