Banbury 3 Hednesford 2

A quick throw-out by keeper Gavin Ward put Sean Platt in trouble and resulted in the home side winning a corner, from which captain Nathan Haisley headed home the opening goal.

Hednesford settled back into their stride and Tyrone Barnett could have done better when put through on goal only to see his first time left foot shot go wide.

On 12 minutes Barnett was involved again after some good work by Elliott Durrell and his low shot was parried out by the keeper but the Hednesford skipper, Ross Dyer, followed in to grab the equaliser.

Ward made amends for the early goal with a couple of smart saves and Durrell came close in the 29th minute with a shot just wide.

The second half started at a furious pace with the Pitmen forcing a good save by Joe Murrell and a desperate goal-line clearance.

In the 54th minute Dyer was on hand to score an almost identical goal to his first after a shot by Durrell. With their noses now in front, it looked likely that there would only be one outcome to the match.

But Banbury had other ideas and in the 63rd minute the excellent Haisley was on the end of some good approach play to fire home from 20 yards.

For the next 15 minutes the Pitmen continued to press for the winning goal. In the 67th minute another goal-line clearance kept the home side level and in the 72nd minute what appeared to be a good goal by Durrell was ajudged offside.

As full-time approached, it looked likely a draw was to be the outcome although both sides were still pressing for the winner.

Then, in the 90th minute, referee John Scott awarded a harsh free-kick against Paul McMullen and David Stone fired home the winner.

Hednesford now entertain Biddulph Victoria in the Staffs Senior Cup tomorrow.