Bedford began the game the brighter of the two sides. In the 5th minute a header was hacked off the Banbury line by a defender and on 13 minutes Josh Sozzo got a glancing header in at the near post from a right wing cross but the ball went just wide of the far post.

Banbury then began to get into the game and took the lead in the 27th minute when a defensive lapse saw Declan Benjamin push an excellent through ball to Nabil Shariff who with just the goalkeeper to beat made no mistake firing the ball confidently home as the custodian advanced.

The goal seemed to lift the confidence of the Banbury players and they now began to play the ball around better on the good surface at the New Eyrie. Conversely despite their bright start you sensed the confidence draining out of the home side. There was now a good ten minute spell for Banbury and they looked as though they might even increase their lead. Just before the interval Ross Oulton’s shot from outside the area looked as though it might trouble goalkeeper Ian Brown as it took a wicked deflection but the custodian was up to the task.

The second half saw a competent performance from Banbury with the defence rarely troubled by the home forwards. Banbury had a couple of decent half chances to increase their lead but were unable to beat the competent Brown in the home goal.

Whilst Bedford are having a poor run and there will be many a sterner test in the coming weeks, everyone at Banbury will be delighted at the three points which move the Puritans up to 12th place.

Full match report from “Match Reporter” to follow in reports section tomorrow

Bedford Town: Ian Brown, Daniel Joyce, Eddie Lawley (Phil Draycott 80), Derwayne Stupple, Stuart Wall, Gavin Hoyte, Craig Daniel, Graham Clark (Ian Draycott 75), Josh Sozzo, Callum Lewis, Jamie Cole (Tom Ahmed 65). Unused Subs: Craig Rydeheard, Paul Draycott.

Banbury United: Joe Murrell, Ollie Stanbridge, Luke Cray, Delroy Gordon, Adam Learoyd, Ross Oulton, David Staff, Declan Benjamin, Nabil Shariff, Scott Cross (Joe Power (80), Marvin Martin. Unused Subs: Jason Taylor, Harrison Foster, John Mbamarah.

Attendance: 285