The uncommitted spectator would probably say that a draw was a fair result on the balance of play at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday, but some weak refereeing robbed Banbury of victory when no fewer than four pushes in the penalty area went unpunished, when every one would have been given if they had happened outside the area. United finished the game with ten men after Nick Kingston received a red card for a challenge that even the Chippenham management could not see as even a foul.

The first three penalty shouts happened in the opening ten minutes when Will Green was flattened within the first minute, Danny Edmond was pushed in the fifth minute and Green again in the 9th minute. This foul was given but the referee decreed that it happened outside the box when it was clearly inside. Then in the next five minutes both Kingston and Glenn Walker went close but ‘keeper Will Puddy saved well to deny both of them.

However, Banbury were awarded a free-kick in the 19th minute when Nathan Rudge handled the ball 20 yards out, and Stefan Bailey powered a right-foot free-kick into the far corner, beating Puddy all ends up to put United deservedly ahead.

Play swung from end to end but both defences were strong and any chances were limited to hopeful crosses into the middle, easily gobbled up by both ‘keepers. Following a fairly lengthy period of even play, the home side finally equalised in the 41st minute when their captain Scott Lye beat two United defenders before lifting the ball over the advancing Andy Kemp into the unguarded net.

The second-half didn’t live up to the promise of the first, but Chippenham were appealing for a penalty themselves when they thought Banbury were guilty of a handball. United had to work hard to contain the Bluebirds, and chances were a lot harder to manufacture for both sides. As the game was heading for a predictable draw, Walker was blatantly pushed well inside the penalty area with ten minutes to go, and then in the 82nd minute came Kingston’s sending off. However, United still managed to contain their hosts, and the points were shared.

This was a much better performance by United, and new signing Bailey looked a lot more like his pedigree suggested, after a lack-lustre performance at Cambridge.

Chippenham Town: Will Puddy, Mani Randhawa (Ashley Williams 46), Greg Tindle, Toby Osman (Ross Stearn 85), Alex Kite, Nathan Rudge, Scott Lye, Aaron Wilson, Alan Griffin, Dave Gilroy (Jack Pitcher 77), James Guthrie. Unused Sub: Lewis Powell.

Banbury United: Andy Kemp, Simeon Williams, Ben Polk, Stefan Bailey, Tommy Kinch, Martin Hutchcox, Ryan Howell (Joe Coleman 65), Nick Kingston, Will Green (Ollie Stanbridge 87), Danny Edmond (Aaron Woodley 65), Glenn Walker. Unused Sub: Cole Hinchliffe.

Attendance: 379