BANBURY United’s 3-1 win at Lowestoft Town wasn’t enough to secure the league title as their closest rivals also won.

Coalville Town’s 3-0 win at Leiston ensured Banbury will have to wait another week for the chance to lift the title.

The Puritans went into the game with a 20-point cushion ahead of Coalville in Pitching In Southern League Premier Central, although Coalville have two games in hand.

Banbury were up against a Lowestoft side rock bottom of the league and four points inside the relegation zone prior to kick-off, however the Suffolk outfit headed into the game after beating Coalville 3-2 to secure an invaluable three points last time out.

Andy Whing made just the one change from the win against Hednesford Town, as Oxford United loanee James Golding – fresh from signing his first professional contract earlier in the week – came in for Theo Lewis.

Banbury started brightly with Jack Stevens seeing a free kick deflected wide on nine minutes, before bringing a save from goalkeeper Luis Tibbles six minutes later.

Tibbles denied Morgan Roberts on 22 minutes, however the winger took his chance five minutes later to give the Puritans the lead.

With half an hour played, Chris Wreh flashed an effort across goal and then Ben Acquaye hit wide three minutes later, as Banbury asserted their dominance.

They made their superiority pay on 35 minutes, doubling the lead when Acquaye’s cross was deflected in for an own goal.  

Banbury began the second half on the front foot, with Acquaye firing at Tibbles and Giorgio Rasulo curling an effort wide.

On 66 minutes, Wreh made it 3-0 with a super strike into the far corner.

Josh Harvey pulled a goal back for the hosts 10 minutes later after a spell of pressure.

Banbury still have five more games to seal the league title, starting with a home game against Tamworth next Saturday.