The first decent chance fell to United’s Ken Charles in the 17th minute, but the Sandgrounders’ ‘keeper saved well. Whilst the visitors were probably the better of the two sides, chances were very few and far between, with neither goalkeeper particularly troubled at the halfway stage.

Banbury were looking a much-improved outfit at the start of the second half, although recent signing Rudi Pache, whilst looking a top class player in the opening half, never appeared after the break after his long-standing injury-scare cut in again, and he had to be replaced.

Southport had something of a lucky break in the 62nd minute when Richie Bennett managed to flick the ball forward to Marcus Carver and he managed to beat Jack Harding with a one-on-one effort..

With United looking very frustrated, no more goal chances were evident for either time, although Banbury had the giant’s share of the forward play, but couldn’t convert their second-half dominance into any goal threats.

Banbury United :- Jack Harding, Jack Davies, Simeon Maye, Luca Woodhouse, Tai Fleming, Lawson D’Ath (captain),Ken Charles, Craig Hewitt, Lewis Darlington (78 mins. Nathaniel Opoku), Joshua Hohnson, Rudi Pache (46 mins. Harley Giles, 87 mins, Charlie Wise) Subs (not used) Ricky Johnson, Dineen Hollifield-Meegan.

Attendance – 636

Thank you to Barry Worsley for the match report.