Struggles continue as Banbury United give up lead in frustrating Leiston defeat

The Puritans started the game brilliantly and took a deserved lead 10 minutes in, however goals from Kyle Callen-McFadden and Adam Mills turned the game on its head.

It was a good opening goal from Banbury as Levi Steele turned in a driven left-footed Josh Cavallo cross, following a corner cleverly taken short by Alex Prosser.

The corner was well won, too, as Prosser had a glorious curling effort from distance impressively clawed behind by Leiston goalkeeper Callum Robinson.

Much to Langmead’s frustration, it took just five minutes for Leiston to equalise as Callan-McFadden netted a looping header from a Fraser Alexander corner.

It was a great finish from the Leiston man as he beat Banbury goalkeeper Jack Harding in the air and headed back across goal, finding the top left corner.

Banbury had a great chance to retake their lead just after half time as new signing Gus Sanches cut in from the left and forced a fingertip save from Robinson.

There was an even better stop from Robinson a few minutes later as he was at full stretch to keep out a Ben Nash diving header at point-blank range.

Nash, who was brave to dive low to attack the ball from Steele’s headed lay-off, couldn’t believe he hadn’t scored.

But it was a sucker punch for Banbury on the hour mark as Leiston took the lead. Yet another header, Mills nodded into the bottom left corner from an Alexander cross.

Banbury dominated possession from that point on as they sought a leveller but, other than a Nash shot saved at the near post, they failed to threaten.

Frustrations grew amongst the home fans as the clock ticked down - much of which could be blamed on a string of questionable refereeing calls - and Leiston held on.

The defeat sees Banbury remain 18th in the Southern League Premier Central standings, a whisker above the relegation zone.

The Puritans now have a 10-day wait until their next game, away at Worcester City.