Late mistake costs Rebels at Banbury

A late defensive mistake leaves Slough with just a point from their trip to Banbury.

A late defensive mistake cost Slough Town all three points at Banbury United on Tuesday evening, leaving the Rebels to settle for a point.

Just three minutes remained when Nathan Smart’s short attempted back pass was seized upon by Leam Howards, who rounded Jack Turner before slotting home to deny Slough the win.

Slough will feel they would have been good value for all three points, having controlled much of the game and having taken the lead through Chris Flood, after James Dobson’s early opener was cancelled out by Elliot Sandy’s leveller. But the result does at least stretch the Rebels’ unbeaten League run to eight matches.

Just seven minutes had been played when Dobson gave Slough the lead, converting at the second attempt after Jack Harding had kept his first effort out.

Then, with a quarter of an hour played, the visitors thought they should have been awarded a penalty when Warren Harris had his heel clipped in the box, but he stayed on his feet and was frustrated as referee Wayne Barrett was unmoved.

Dobson and Flood missed chances to double the lead and were made to pay as Banbury levelled on 24 minutes, with Sandy making no mistake when one-on-one with Turner.

Banbury had the better of the rest of the first half without testing Turner again, and the two sides went into the half time break level.

Both sides went close early in the second, with Turner blocking an effort from Conor McDonagh and Lee Togwell firing just wide for Slough.

Slough had the ball in the net on 56 minutes but Mark Nisbet was penalised for handball, and shortly after Turner produced a brilliant save to keep the score at 1-1.

But Slough’s pressure on the Banbury goal increased, and they battled back into the lead with Flood heading George Wells’ cross into the corner of the net on 77 minutes.

The visitors looked to be in a strong position to see the game out and record another win, but Smart’s error was punished with Slough unable to fashion another chance.