The sides were evenly matched and a draw was probably a fair result as we took on Premier Division Banbury United in this FA Cup Qualifying Round and both sides will be in Monday’s draw in advance of Tuesday’s replay. No doubt the visitors were unsettled by the recent resignation of manager Ady Fuller and the appointment of Edwin Stein, but a draw against Premier Division opponents was still a reasonable outcome and there is all to play for in the replay.

The visitors had an early chance when Tom Lorraine was gifted the ball just outside the penalty area, but he shot well wide, whilst at the other end, Alan O’Brien twice had shots blocked and Ryan Crockford volleyed wide from O’Brien’s pass. There was a moments lack of concentration when the ball appeared to go out of play, but there was no flag and Lorraine ran through to bring a good save from Paul Strudley, who was soon in action again when a free-kick was deflected dangerously towards goal, although Banbury custodian Matt Gill had a let ff when he fumbled a goal bound shot which was eventually cleared by a defender.

Mark Draycott’s header from O’Brien’s cross early in the second half lacked power and was easily saved by Gill, but he visitors broke away and Ricky Johnson gave them he lead after 54 minutes. This seemed to boost their confidence and we had to battle hard to prevent them increasing the lead, but we again began to test the Banbury defence and substitute Bradley Gray equalized after 80 minutes before Mark Draycott shot just wide as we looked like snatching the winner, but despite almost 7 minutes of assed time, neither side could settle the tie and will try again on Tuesday when a result is assured.

Pictured Goalscorer Bradley Gray