United started brightly and in the fourth minute Aidan Hawtin set up Josh Shama but his shot from the edge of the penalty area was comfortably saved by Kyle Phillips in the Paulton goal.

As the half developed though it was Paulton who had the better of the game and looked the more likely to make a breakthrough but nevertheless the Banbury custodian Leigh Bedwell was not unduly troubled.

On 36 minutes an Aidan Hawtin free-kick from 25 yards flashed wide of the post though the home custodian looked to have it well covered.

The last ten minutes of the half was a much better spell for Banbury and though they couldn’t create a clear opportunity it showed promise for the second half ahead.

On 52 minutes a cross cum shot from the right by Jon Davies was tipped over the bar by Bedwell for a corner and Mike Bryant had the ball in the back of the net on 63 minutes but the assistant referee’s flag was up early for off-side.

A quarter of an hour from time Banbury’s best effort of the game saw a Shama shot from just outside the penalty area just tipped over the bar by Phillips for a corner.

It was end to end in the last fifteen minutes with both sides looking for a winner.

A Hawtin Shot from the edge of the area was saved low down to his left by Phillips but seven minutes from time Bedwell came to United’s rescue with an excellent close range save before then clearing the resultant loose ball with his feet on the way down. Jordan Green shot wide from just outside the 18 yard box in the 89th minute but the last seconds of the game saw the best chance of the match fall to Paulton’s Scott Wilson but through on goal with just Bedwell to beat he shot wide.

This was a game that saw a lot of honest endeavour from both sides albeit not a lot of quality though the heavy and difficult pitch after rain overnight contributed to this. Banbury had their fair share of the ball but that final pass to open up the home defence and create clear opportunities was missing. Chances were few and far between for both sides though Paulton did have the better ones but didn’t take them.

It is now though five games unbeaten for United in all competitions which together with a clean sheet will please manager Paul Davis as they now embark on a run of three consecutive cup games.

Paulton Rovers: Kyle Phillips, Shayne Anson, Ben Lacey, Jordy Nkunga, Scott Brice, Brandon Barnes, Mike Bryant, Ashley Williams, Scott Wilson, Jon Davies, Dean Evans. Subs (not used): Darren Jefferies, Elliott Gibbons, Clayton Green, Josh Jeffries, Ollie Knowles.

Banbury United: Leigh Bedwell, Luke Cray, Marvin Martin, Jack Westbrook, Tom Fishwick, Tom Ryan, Jordan Green, Aidan Hawtin, Josh Shama (Leam Howards 85), Adeyinka Talabi, Ben Whitehead (Carl Tappin 71). Subs (not used): Jacob Walcott, Nkosi Mzungwana, Declan Hartigan.

Attendance: 142