Hungerford dominated the early stages, playing with the advantage of the slope. As early as the second minute a left sided corner caused problems in the centre with Charlie Wise having to head a goal-bound effort off the line. The first 20 minutes saw little respite for the Banbury defence but they defended well against what was at times a relentless tide.

In the 25th minute a Banbury free-kick just outside the penalty area on the left saw a neat routine where Zac McEachran knocked the ball to Darius Browne who had just run over the ball and Browne then centred low into the penalty area but no United player could get on to the end of the dangerous cross.

This began a decent spell for Banbury but Hungerford were soon back in control and pressuring the visitors but they were unable to convert that into a goal though they were unfortunate in the final minute of the half when only the upright denied them.

Now playing down the slope, United began to match their hosts in the second half. On 58 minutes James Rusby shot just wide from distance but United were now asking some questions of the home defence and four minutes later Howards was brought down right on the edge of the Hungerford penalty area though there were claims by the United players that it was inside the penalty area and they certainly seemed to have a case.

United were now looking as likely if not more likely than Hungerford to score. On 74 minutes Howards put Louis Joyce through on goal but the United player totally miskicked his shot. Five minutes later Zac McEachran’s excellent shot from 30 yards had too much sting for Paul Strudley in the Hungerford goal to hold but the custodian gathered at the second attempt.

There were a couple of scares for United in the final few minutes with a home player blasting over the bar from close range and a scramble in the Hungerford penalty area from a corner but it finished 0-0.
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United’s defence had to work hard throughout and though Hungerford will wonder how they failed to win based on their first half dominance they failed to find a way through and as the second half wore on United started to create some chances and might even have snatched a winner. United’s efforts deserved the replay at the Spencer Stadium on Tuesday.

Hungerford Town: Paul Strudley, Rhys Tyler, Diak John, James Rusby, Matt Day, Richie Wittingham, Garyn Preen, Mike Jones (Dean Stow 60), Nathan Jarvis, Stefan Brown, James Clark (Alan O'Brien 60). Subs (not used): Harry Goodger, Mark Draycott, Oliver Harrison.

Banbury United: Jack Harding, Callum White, Jon Steedman, Duran Martin, Charlie Wise (Nicholas Kalakoutis 77), Andy Gunn, Ollie Stanbridge, George Nash, Leam Howards, Zac McEachran, Darius Browne (Louis Joyce 69). Subs (not used): Jacob Blackstock, Daniel Garceran Moreno.

Attendance: 128