Manager Ady Fuller included a number of “new faces” in the Banbury side including in the heart of the defence former QPR, Ebbsfleet United, Grays Athletic, AFC Telford United and Kettering Town player Stefan Bailey as well as ex Nuneaton Town, Bedworth United, Rushall Olympic and Rugby Town striker Danny Edmond. Also lining up in midfield was ex Rugby Town, Halesowen Town, Hemel Hempstead and Chesham United midfielder Sam Youngs.

Lee Smith put the home side ahead in the 14th minute but Banbury responded within a minute when Courtney Herbert headed the ball down into the path of Justin Dowling who struck the ball home into the net from around 12 yards. Remarkably, Banbury were then in front just three minutes later as a cross from the left was met by an excellent header from Edmond which flew past the home goalkeeper. Danny Glover then equalised for Nuneaton on 25 minutes.

The second half saw the Conference North side have the better of the game. The last quarter of the game was very open and entertaining. Banbury goalkeeper Andy Kemp had to make a couple of decent saves to keep the scores level. Banbury always looked lively on the breakaway though and in the 76th minute Edmond was put through and had an excellent chance in a one-on-one with the home custodian to put Banbury ahead once more but the keeper did well to deny the striker down low to his left. The last ten minutes of the game saw the Banbury goal live a rather charmed life with the ball hitting the bar twice and also the post. Nevertheless manager Ady Fuller is sure to take a number of positives from this performance.

Banbury United: Andy Kemp, David Staff (Ollie Stanbridge 60), Ben Polk (Lewis Travers 66), Liam Dolman, Stefan Bailey, Tommy Kinch, Sam Youngs, Joe Coleman (Troy Johnson 61), Courtney Herbert (Aaron Daniels 66), Danny Edmond, Justin Dowling (Simeon Williams 60),