Westbrook opens his account to earn Puritans a point

Banbury United boss Mike Ford saw his side pick up a point at Coalville Town

Tom McGlinchey gave Coalville the first half lead in Saturday's Premier Central clash but Westbrook equalised in the second half.

Despite players missing through injury or illness, United still looked the stronger of the two sides from the start. But the good approach play, especially up the left flank, went unrewarded by the lack of end product and keeper Saul Deeney had little to do early on. Jack Harding almost got caught out when he allowed a back pass to go under his foot but the ball ran past the post. Up front, Craig Fasanmade, while working hard and causing problems for the home defence with his speed and agility, was ploughing a lone furrow.

Against the run of play, United’s task became a lot more difficult in the 23rd minute when the Ravens took the lead. With United pushing forward, they lost control in midfield, Tim Berridge raced through the middle and he released McGlinchey, who beat Harding from 12 yards.

Almost immediately following the restart, Giorgio Rasulo’s free-kick was well saved by Deeney who tipped the ball round the post. United again went close with Deeney tipping a John Mills shot over the bar. As the half came to a close, Berridge went close when it looked easier to have scored, after being put in by McGlinchey.

The second half looked to pan out the same as the first, with United well on top. But again, their excellent approach play petered out in the final third. The home side started to get back into the game as the play reached the midway point and United were forced back to defend more deeply.

But United still managed to push forward between home attacks and equalised in the 72nd minute following another corner. Coalville failed to deal with Rasulo's corner and Westbrook rose to nod the ball into the empty net.

Both sides went for the winner, Harding did well to save from a Luke Shaw effort and Deeney made another good save from Fasanmade at the near post after Mohammed Ahmed had cut in from the right.

In the closing stages United were under severe pressure, especially after Kynan Isaac was shown a red card following a second yellow in the first minute of stoppage-time but they held on for a point.