GOALS in each half from David Stone earned Banbury United three welcome points as they ended a run of three straight defeats with a narrow 2-1 success against lowly Rugby Town.
It was United's first double of the season in the Zamaretto League but they were hanging on at the end as Rugby almost snatched a late point.
Rugby began brightly and Joe Murrrell had to be alert to deny Matt Brown after the striker broke free in
the 14th minute and then keep out Ansi Commander's volley from Shawn Richards' 20th minute corner. But it took a superb finger-tip save from Andrew Stevens in the 24th minute to keep out Declan Benjamin's 25-yard free-kick as United gradually worked their way into the premier division contest.
Stone should have done better after breaking free in the 35th minute, only to find the sidenetting, and three minutes later Jason Taylor headed against the post from Joe Coleman's cross. But the breakthrough came five minutes before the break when Benjamin and Taylor combined to release Stone and he finished coolly past the advancing Stevens.
And Stone quickly doubled United's advantage eight minutes after the restart when he pounced on a slip by Delroy Gordon to beat Stevens with another clinical finish. But it took a fine reflex save from Murrell to keep Liam Nicell's deflected drive in the 57th minute.
Stevens kept Rugby in it with a good save from Nathan Haisley and the visitors were then handed a 70th minute lifeline when substitute Matt Gearing was tripped in the box by James Baldwin and Gez Murphy despatched the ensuing spot-kick.
United has chances to make the game safe but Benjamin and substitute Nabil Shariff were unable to convert two excellent crosses from Stone. But Rugby should have grabbed a point in stoppage-time when Gearing and Gordon both missed with the goal at their mercy.
UTD: Murrell, McDonald, Milner, Baldwin, Martin, Coleman, Hailsey, Benjamin, Ashton, Taylor (Shariff 65), Stone. Not used: Gardner, Stanbridge, Redknap, Learoyd
Att: 319
