Banbury manager Ady Fuller opted to start with the same 11 that had begun the game at Oxford City except that the returning Glenn Walker came in for Justin Dowling.

Hemel began the game the better of the two sides and put United under early pressure with a couple of corners. On 15 minutes Andy Kemp in the Banbury goal was beaten but fortunately for the home side the ball bounced back off the post. The rest of the half developed primarily into a midfield battle with Hemel having the better of the game. Liam Malone had a decent shot on target with two minutes of the half to go but Kemp did well to punch the effort away.

Banbury did begin the second half in a more positive mode. On 56 minutes Green won the ball on the left, took the ball inside, made room for a shot but it went inches wide of the far post. This was Banbury's best effort to date. Five minutes later though Banbury had another lucky escape when Hemel hit the inside of the post, the ball then ran along the face of the goalline before being cleared.

Banbury put Hemel under a little pressure in the last five minutes but generally it was competently dealt with by the visitors. Just on stoppage time Ryan Blake had a good chance to score for Hemel but shot wide. Then into stoppage time Will Green was put through but in a one-on-one with the keeper, the ball ran away from him and the chance went begging.

Banbury can have no complaints about the result. Whilst on the balance of play it might be considered a fair result, the fact that the post saved Banbury twice then Hemel will probably feel aggreived not to have gone away with all three points - understandably.

As for Banbury - as they say "a bit of a reality check" - but it is five consecutive clean sheets and they are fourth in the table.

Hemel having gained a point will take a lot of positives from the game though I am sure they will be disappointed and frustrated to now be bottom of the table after Swindon Supermarine went above them following their fine win over St Albans City.

Detailed Match Report to follow tomorrow

Banbury United: Andy Kemp, Simeon Williams, Ben Polk (Nick Kingston 64), Ben Thackeray, Tommy Kinch, Martin Hutchcox, Ollie Stanbridge (Sam Youngs 77), Joe Coleman, Will Green, Aaron Woodley (Courtney Herbert 79), Glenn Walker. Unused Subs: Lewis Travers, Justin Dowling.

Hemel Hempstead Town: Nick Bussey, Danny May, Bill Morgan, Charlie Gorman, Warren Goodhind, Matthew McEntegart, Liam Malone, Michael Alexis (Marquin Smith 55), Scott Fitzgerald (Ryan Blake 80), Lewis Toomey, David Pearce. Unused Subs: Morgan Williams, Louis Stead, Mike McEntegart.

Attendance: 316