RELEGATION-haunted Banbury United fought back for a share of the spoils, thanks to a late leveller from Ricky Johnson against Frome Town at Spencer Stadium on Saturday.

It was looking grim for Ady Fuller’s men, who are just three points above the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division drop-zone as they trailed 2-1 with six minutes left, but up popped Johnson to snatch a point.

Early on, Frome keeper Darren Chitty tipped a Josh Cole header over the bar.

However, minutes later the visitors went ahead when Matt Smith’s speculative lob went over the stranded Andy Kemp and into the top corner.

But on 17 minutes, Tommy Kinch equalised with a 25-yard shot into the bottom corner.

Two minutes before the break, Cole’s effort cama back off a post, with his follow-up going straight into Chitty’s arms.

Right on half-time, Banbury went behind again when Lloyd Matthews’s low shot beat Kemp at his near post.

Banbury had a lucky escape on 64 minutes when a long-range effort from Dean Evans brushed the top of the bar.

With six minutes left, Joe Coleman’s pass found Howard Forinton, who was upended just inside the area.

As the players waited for a penalty, Johnson fired in the loose ball to salvage a point.

Banbury Utd: Kemp, Thackeray (Johnson 59), Kinch, Dolman, Chilton, Coleman, Howell, Cole, Blake, Forinton, Williams. Subs not used: Angus, Richardson, Polk, Edmond.

Attendance: 225.