Tiverton had the better of the opening minutes but Banbury had soon worked their way into the game and as early as the sixth minute Mark Bell curled a shot from just outside the Tiverton penalty area on the left just wide of the far post.

As the half developed it became an equal affair with plenty of endeavour from both sides on a heavy and sapping pitch but with both defences on top.

On 36 minutes Ricky Johnson turned sharply 15 yards out but failed to connect properly and Joe Perry in the Tiverton goal saved comfortably.

On 41 minutes Callum White went on an excellent run in rom the right to inside the penalty area getting the better of a couple of defenders before seeing his shot well blocked.

Within seconds though and United were in front. A poor goal-kick out from Perry went straight to Mark Bell in space half way inside the Tiverton half who took the ball forward to the edge of the penalty area before slotting the ball past the embarrassed custodian.

Banbury began the second half brightly but Tiverton were soon pushing the visitors back and dominating territorially though Banbury’s defending was excellent and they always looked dangerous going forward with the home side pushing forward in search of an equaliser.

On the hour mark Zac McEahran put Callum White through down the right but the shot from the edge of the penalty area was screwed wide.

After a period of heavy pressure from Tiverton a Banbury breakaway in the 66th minute saw Perry come out of his area and just get to a through ball ahead of Leam Howards with the ball falling to Johnson 30 yards out who attempted to put the ball over the out of goal custodian but the shot went wide.

The final 20 minutes was tense but excellent entertainment with Tiverton pushing forward for an equaliser and Banbury looking just as likely to score.

But with neither side finding the back of the net Mark Bell’s goal just before half time would prove enough to earn United the three points which moves them up to second place in the South & West table.

Particular credit must go to the Banbury defence who were totally committed and superb all night in protecting Jack Harding in goal who despite the periods of Tiverton pressure wasn’t required to make any saves of note but whose handling of crosses under pressure from the home forwards was top class.

Tiverton Town: Joe Perry, Jake Wannell, Mike Williams (Danny Smith 72), Ben Mammola, Steve Kingdon, Tom Gardner (James Mudge 72), Jimmy Hinds, James Richards, Owen Howe, Levi Landricombe, Rob Norrish (Ethan Phillips 26). Subs (not used): Dan Western, George Rogers.

Banbury United: Jack Harding, Callum White, Michael Hopkins, George Nash, Jack Westbrook, Andy Gunn, Zac McEachran, Ollie Stanbridge (Duran Martin 58), Ricky Johnson, Felipe Barcelos (Leam Howards 66), Mark Bell (Darius Browne 77) . Sub (not used): Charlie Wise.

Attendance: 186

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