OLLIE Stanbridge was sent off as Banbury United had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Bishops Cleeve in Division 1 South & West of the Evo-Stik Southern League on Saturday.

Stanbridge got his marching orders six minutes from time for a second yellow card.

By that time the hosts, who had taken the lead early in the second half, were happy to hold on for a point.

Banbury had the edge in the first half, but created only one clear-cut chance when Duran Martin miskicked the ball from six yards out.

They went ahead on 50 minutes, when Mark Bell took a short corner and swapped passes with Nicholas Kalakoutis, before crossing for Louis Joyce to score with a majestic header.

The hosts seemed to be in control during the second half before Cleeve’s Jordan Bryan was bundled over by Andy Gunn inside the penalty area in the 71st minute.

Shane Bumphrey stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick, sending Puritans keeper Jack Harding the wrong way.

After Stanbridge had been sent off, the visitors nearly won it in stoppage time, when Elliott Kennedy smashed a 25-yard shot against a post, but Mike Ford’s side held on to earn a point.

Banbury are tenth in the table with 14 points from nine games.

On Saturday, they welcome mid-table side Mangotsfield United to the Spencer Stadium.

Banbury Utd: Harding, White, Partner (Blackstock 76), Martin, Wise, Johnson, Gunn, Stanbridge, Joyce (Browne 69), Bell, Kalakoutis (Howards 59).

Attendance: 200.