BANBURY UNITED 2 MAGPIES 1

DESPITE a determined second-half performance, the Magpies came away from the Spencer Stadium on Saturday empty- handed as they went down to a struggling side.

The Puritans finally secured their first points of the new Southern League campaign after seven straight defeats.

First-half goals from Josh Shama and a wonder strike by Shepherd Murombedzi gave United a two-goal advantage at the break.

Visiting captain Nathan Walker netted shortly after the restart to put Dorchester back in the game, but the Magpies failed to find an equaliser as United held on for the win.

With Kyle Critchell (work), Steve Walker (suspension) out and Jamie Gleeson missing for personal issues, caretaker-boss Stuart Heath handed starts to Oakley Hanger, Will Agbo, Alex Godfrey and Jason Brookes.

It was United who started the brighter and they created a couple of decent early chances.

Shama raced clear but was forced wide by Alan Walker-Harris, then Murombedzi cut inside and tested the keeper from the edge of the box.

In between, the lively Godfrey beat the offside trap but was closed down by Joel Meade before he could shoot.

Godfrey was then denied by Leigh Bedwell as he looked to pounce on a defensive error.

However, the hosts continued to create the better openings and Jacob Walcott was denied by Walker-Harris after he intercepted a short back pass.

Jake Smeeton curled a 20-yard free-kick around the wall and just past the post before the visitors fell behind in the 29th minute.

The dangerous Shama took advantage of a slip by Hanger to race into the box and beat Walker-Harris with a cool finish from 15 yards.

Walcott just failed to get on the end of a low cross from Shama as United, boosted by the goal, looked to double their advant- age.

And a second arrived in spec-tacular fashion in the 44th minute when Murombedzi again cut inside and unleashed a 20-yard screamer which flew into the top corner.

But Dorchester reduced the arrears three minutes after the restart when central defender Walker rose unchallenged to head home a long throw-in from Dan Cann.

Jack Westbrook tested Walker-Harris from the edge of the box but United’s attacking threat was less evident and Dorchester continued to pose more problems in the second period.

Cann should have equalised midway through the half when he headed into the side-netting from Smeeton’s corner and then the former produced another long throw which Walker headed on to the roof of the net.

The visitors pushed Walker up front in the closing stages and United had to defend several more long throws from Cann.

Banbury substitute Leam Howards had a close-range effort blocked late on before Wal- ker headed just wide from God-frey’s cross in the final minute.

That turned out to be Dorchester’s last chance of salvaging a point.

Banbury: Bedwell, Cray, Mzungwana, Meade, Fishwick, Westbrook, Evangelinos (Howards 59), Hawtin, Shama, Walcott (Browne 87), Murombedzi (Katsoloudi 90). Subs not used: Tappin, Houston.

Magpies: Walker-Harris, Lanahan, Buckley, Smeeton, Walker, Hanger, Brookes (Woodland 74), Agbo, Cann, Godfrey, D Smith. Subs not used: Rolls, Murphy, Joyce, S Smith.

Bookings: Banbury – None

Magpies – Cann (85)

Referee: Lee Forester (Luton)

Attendance: 263