This was a game played in awful conditions with a strong wind blowing down the pitch and heavy rain throughout most of the second half on what was already a heavy pitch following inclement weather over the previous 24 hours.

United had the wind behind them in the first half. There was early promise for United when in the third minute Jon Steedman flashed a shot just wide from the edge of the penalty area. In the 18th minute Matt Bulman in the Swindon goal had to be alert to come out sharply to the edge of his penalty area to get to a through ball from Zac McEachran to Leam Howards just before the United striker could get there.

Two minutes later good play down the left by Supermarine ended with Jacob Davidge crossing low into the centre but the ball went across the six yard box without anyone from the home side able to get on to the end of it.

In the 32nd minute Ross Adams nearly put the ball into his own net when he got his head on to the end of a left wing cross but Bulman did well to tip the misdirected header over the bar for a corner.

Just two minutes later though and Supermarine were in front when a ball into the centre was only cleared as far as Ash Taylor on the edge of the Banbury penalty area who struck the ball firmly and with precision into the corner of net.

In the 37th minute United went close when Ricky Johnson knocked the ball through to Howards but though he lifted the ball over Bulman it went wide of the post.

However, four minutes later and United were level when they opened up the home defence. An excellent series of passes brought the ball inside from the right touchline which ended with McEachran feeding it through to Darius Browne in a central position who knocked it home from five yards out.

United would though receive a massive set-back in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Leam Howards and Ross Adams seemed to have a minor altercation involving a tangle of legs off the ball. However, the Assistant Referee saw things differently and alerted the referee who then showed a straight red card to Howards for violent conduct, presumably deeming there was a stamping incident.

Supermarine not surprisingly would have the better of the opening fifteen minutes to the second half but Banbury defended well and with grit and there were no clear chances for the home side.

On 63 minutes Banbury responded with a good forward move when Duran Martin put McEachran through on goal and he was then unfortunate to see his on target shot deflected away for a corner. The resultant flag kick from McEachran came straight back out to the taker who then crossed low into the centre where Ricky Johnson was on hand to tap the ball home from close range to put United into an unlikely lead.

A quarter of an hour from time Swindon finally found a way through the ten men of Banbury when a deep high cross from the left was headed home by Josh Parsons at the far post. Less than sixty seconds later Swindon were close to going in front once more when a header from Ashley Edenborough looked destined for the corner of the net but Jack Harding in the Banbury goal did exceptionally well to get up and tip the ball away for a corner.

Banbury were under pressure in the final fifteen minutes of normal time and a remarkable six minutes of added time but they defended admirably to bring a deserved point back to Oxfordshire which keeps them in fifth place, four points above their hosts.

Leam will receive an automatic three match suspension starting in 14 days so he will miss the game at Shortwood, the home game against Cinderford and the away game at Taunton.

Swindon Supermarine: Matt Bulman, Marcus Johnson-Schuster, Luke Matthews, Ashley Taylor, Ross Adams, Ryan O'Hara, Luke Hopper, Chris Taylor, Ashley Edenborough (Connor Waldon 80), Josh Parsons, Jacob Davidge (Ryan Stanners 63). Subs (not used): Joe Shepherd, Kyle Lapham, Sam Morris.

Banbury United: Jack Harding, Callum White, Jon Steedman, Duran Martin, Jack Westbrook, Andy Gunn, Zac McEachran (Mark Bell 75), George Nash, Ricky Johnson (Louis Joyce 90), Leam Howards, Darius Browne (Ollie Stanbridge 71). Subs (not used): Jacob Blackstock, Charlie Wise.

Attendance: 205