Redditch United 1, Banbury United 1

REDS let maximum points slip through their grasp as relegation candidates Banbury United battled back to claw an unlikely draw.

That was after Reds had completely bossed the first half and should have built a commanding lead by half time.

Reds steadily built up a head of steam and half the ground thought Liam McDonald's men had taken a 21st minute lead from an Ashley Sammons corner, but Calvin Dinsley's angled drive struck the side-netting instead.

Two minutes later a game of pin-ball took place in the Banbury goalmouth where both Leigh Phillips and Simeon Maye had full bloodied drives blocked in the ensuing scramble.

Reds striker Courtney Baker-Richardson then had a shot deflected wide on 25 minutes and then miscued in front of goal five minutes later.

The chances kept coming and finally Reds converted when Sammons smashed home on the half volley on 38 minutes.

It was no more than Reds deserved and it should have been 2-0 before half time when Baker-Richardson flicked on for Phillips who was clean through on goal, but couldn't control allowing Banbury shotstopper Leigh Bedwell to save.

Reds continued where they left off after the break, Baker-Richardson smacking a shot against the post on 48 minutes, the rebound falling to Sammons who blazed over.

Rampant Reds rattled the post again through Phillips on 56 minutes after Baker-Richardson crossed along the face of goal.

In a rare moment of defiance, Banbury 's Leah Howards unleashed a goalbound shot which virtual spectator Sam Hornby spectacularly kept out with a flying one-handed save.

Banbury began to grow in confidence but the warning wasn't heeded and Reds were left reeling on 81 minutes when Jack Westbrook levelled for Banbury after rifling home from 20 yards out after Kynan Isaac's free kick wasn't cleared properly.

Reds tried desperately to repair the damage and could have made sure on 88 minutes when substitute Ashley Parsons-Smith picked out George Carline with a right wing cross, but Carline could only head straight at a grateful Bedwell.

Reds: Hornby 8, Jones 7, Caines 7, Dinsley 9, Scarr 8, Flanagan 8, Phillips 7 (Parsons-Smith 6, 67), Maye 7, Baker-Richardson 7 (Serigne-Mor Diop 60, 6), Sammons 7, (Hylton 83, 6), Carline 7. Subs not used: Loveridge, Young (gk).