BANBURY United fell to a fourth successive Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division defeat when they lost 1-0 at home to Redditch on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Puritans were missing four players, and they were unable to create many scoring opportunities in the game.

Redditch snatched all three points with the only goal on 62 minutes when James Fawke’s back pass to Jack Harding was not firm enough and Jazz Luckie nipped in to score, firing into the far corner.

Banbury Utd: Harding, White, Blackstock, Nash, Fawke, Browne, Janes, Self (Bell 66), Johnson, Howards (Barcelos 55), Martin. Sub not used: Sambrook, Rimmer.

Attendance: 403.

Banbury were beaten 3-1 at Hitchin Town last Saturday.

First-half goals from Brett Donnelly and Matt Lench gave Mike Ford’s men a steep hill to climb.

Despite an improved second half, Robbie Burns headed a third, before Leam Howards grabbed a late consolation, latching on to Darius Brown’s through ball and beating the keeper from 12 yards.

Ricky Johnson also went close for Banbury after the break, when Felipe Barcelos crossed, but he could not keep his header down.

After an even opening ten minutes, the hosts began to dominate proceedings.

And on 13 minutes they took the lead when Donnelly got on the end of a corner to score from close range.

Hitchin continued to enjoy the better of the game and extended their lead.

Donnelly’s shot from the edge of the penalty area was well saved by Jack Harding, but Lench was quickest to react and knocked home the rebound.

Lewis Rolfe then came within inches of making it 3-0 from 25 yards, before on 32 minutes Banbury carved out their best opportunity of the half.

Mark Bell’s free-kick found Mark Janes at the far post, but his header was saved by goalkeeper Michael Johnson.

The Puritans improved after the break and on 49 minutes Ricky Johnson went close to reducing the arrears, but his dinked effort went just over.

And Johnson had another opportunity on 56 minutes when Felipe Barcelos crossed from the right, but he could not keep his header down.

Hitchin went close to punishing Banbury’s missed opportunities when Burns forced Harding into a decent save.

The Puritans huffed and puffed in the remaining 20 minutes, but were unable to create an opening.

Duran Martin came closest, his free-kick tipped over the bar by Michael Johnson.

Hitchin continued to have their chances, though, and Josh Coley could have put the match beyond Banbury’s reach, only to see his shot go past Harding and the wrong side of a post.

But a minute later, they did make sure of victory as Burns met Kane Smith’s cross with a diving header which found the bottom corner of the net.

The visitors refused to give in and they grabbed a consolation a minute from time.

Banbury Utd: Harding, White, Lynn, Nash, Westbrook, Gunn, Janes, Self (Martin 63), Johnson, Barcelos (Howards 75), Bell (Browne 58).

Subs not used: Blackstock, Fawke.

Attendance: 350.

Banbury Utd: Harding, White, Lynn, Nash, Westbrook, Gunn, Janes, Self (Martin 63), Johnson, Barcelos (Howards 75), Bell (Browne 58).

Subs not used: Blackstock, Fawke.

Attendance: 350.

icky Johnson struck the winner as Banbury United won 1-0 at Basingstoke Town, firing home in the 63rd minute.

Mark Janes stung the hands of Town keeper Alex Tokarczyk before Mike Ford’s newly-promoted side broke the deadlock, with Zac McEachran feeding Johnson, who fired home from 12 yards.

McEachran and Duran Martin both struck the bar.