BANBURY United produced their best display of the season – but still came away from their Southern League Premier Division clash at Rowley Park pointless after a 3-2 defeat against St Neots Town United put St Neots Town under pressure from the opening whistle.

And it was somewhat against the run of play that the hosts took the lead in the 17th minute when Stefan Moore took advantage of some poor marking to convert a left-sided cross from close in.

However, Banbury continued to push forward and in the 23rd minute a free-kick from the left saw Ricky Johnson smash the equaliser into the net from six yards out.

Banbury were forced back in the opening exchanges of the second half.

But in the 53rd minute a ball out of defence found Josh O’Grady in space, and he surged forward before firing a curling 25-yarder into the top corner to give Banbury a deserved lead.

The Puritans should have gone further ahead when, a few seconds after coming on, Tom Lorraine put the ball over the bar from three yards out.

Banbury were made to rue this miss and other wasted chances when a cross from the right to the far post in the 77th minute saw the on-rushing Dan Jacob slide home the equaliser.

Two minutes later, St Neots grabbed the winner when Jacob received the ball wide on the left and cut back from the bye-line before firing a fierce low drive into the far corner.

Banbury Utd: Cross, Cray, Ashton, Dolman, Lee, Polk, Kingston (Cole 63), Confue, Johnson, Talabi (Lorraine 73), O’Grady (Howell 87). Subs not used: Woodley, Agyeman-Prempeh.

Attendance: 332.