United began the game well and early on matched their highly placed opponents. The ball was in the back of the Dunstable net as early as the 5th minute when a cross from the right by Jacob Walcott was struck home by Josh Shama but the assistant referee’s flag was up for off-side. Banbury continued to look dangerous when going forward. In the 13th minute a Darius Browne cross from the left went to Shama whose shot from the edge of the area went just wide.

However, it would be Dunstable, who also looked lively going forward, who would take the lead in the 16th minute when a cross from the right by Charlie Henry was headed home at the far post by Gary Mulligan.

Despite the set-back United continued to be play positively and went close on 20 minutes when a Walcott cross from the right eventually fell to Leam Howards whose shot from eight yards was hacked off the line by a defender. United got their deserved equaliser in the 29th minute when Shama took advantage of a Luke Chambers goalkeeping error and the Oxford United loanee having nipped in to get the ball calmly slotted it home into the open goal.

Three minutes into the second half and Banbury were in front when the ball bobbled around in the penalty area and with Dunstable unable to clear the ball Leam Howards struck it home via a deflection from a defender from 12 yards. Just three minutes further on and United went close once more when a superb low cross from the right by Walcott went right across the six yard box but no one coming in could get a touch to the ball.

In the 58th minute an excellent run down the right by Walcott saw his cross into the centre lead to an almighty scramble around the six yard box with Darius Browne eventually forcing the ball home to make the score 3-1 to Banbury. Just a minute later though and Christopher Marsh had scored for Dunstable to reduce the deficit back to a single goal.

Dunstable applied some pressure on Banbury for spells in the last half hour but it was certainly not all one way traffic and a case of just holding on as United continued to look dangerous going forward. On 74 minutes a 22 yard strike from Shama was palmed away at full stretch by the home custodian for a corner.

There were a couple of scares for Banbury in the last ten minutes but with no further goals United’s first away win of the season was secured. Overall this was a most impressive performance against a side that are third in the table. It is not only the result but the willingness to take on players and pace of the attacking players which makes this team so exciting to watch going forward.

Dunstable Town: Luke Chambers, Ben Herd, Ryan Plowright, Nick Beasant, Shane Blackett, Scott Davies, Adam Watkins (Jamal McKenzie-Lowe 78), Charlie Henry (David Hutton 37), Gary Mulligan, Terry Dixon, Christopher Marsh. Subs (not used): Jamie Head, Tony Fontanelle, Arel Amu.

Banbury United: Leigh Bedwell, Luke Cray, David Lynn, Carl Tappin (Harry Jervis 67), Tom Fishwick, Jack Westbrook, Jacob Walcott, Shepherd Murombedzi, Josh Shama, Leam Howards (Harry White 56), Darius Browne (Marcus Green 86). Subs (not used): Callum White, Nkosi Mzungwana.

Attendance: 149