Halesowen 1 Banbury 2
Halesowen missed an opportunity to go top of the table after losing 2-1 to Banbury United at home, following a sickening injury to Shane Paul.
Paul suffered a double fracture to his leg – following a challenge from Greg Williams – two minutes in and that caused a 25-minute delay while the medics saw to him.
Williams received a yellow card for his dangerous, although without intent, challenge but was so distraught that he was unable to continue and was immediately substituted.
Understandably, Halesowen lost composure after the awful incident and both goals in Nicky Gordon's double-strike were down to defensive lapses.
The Puritans took a 21st minute lead when Dennis Pearce's slip allowed Gordon to lob over both goalkeeper Mark Osborn and last man David Perpetuini.
Halesowen hauled themselves level in the 53rd minute when Dean Brennan held up the ball and set up Darren Caskey to place home his first Halesowen goal from 10 yards.
Banbury then went close again when Ollie Stanbridge's drive clipped the crossbar.
As Halesowen sought a vital late winner, Stuart Pierpoint headed a corner over the bar and Eldon Maquemba struck weakly at goalkeeper Andy Wheeler.
Wheeler then blocked after Jay Denny found substitute Patrick Peters free in the 89th minute.
But Banbury snatched a 90th minute winner after Halesowen's central defence allowed goalkeeper Wheeler's long clearance to bounce twice in the penalty area in the blustery wind and dander-man Gordon hooked home his second goal to end Halesowen's horrendous afternoon.
Halesowen Town: Osborn; Gomes, Perpetuini, Pearce, Pierpoint, Denny, Paul (Hamilton 2), Caskey, Brennan (Peters 60), Maquemba, Anya. Unused Subs: Amos, Lycett, Unjanque.
