BANBURY United's hopes of reaching the Premier Division play-offs were dealt a blow by Mangotsfield at Spencer Stadium on Saturday.

The defeat left Banbury nine points behind Bath City in the last play-off spot.

Kevin Brock's side fell behind with just 90 seconds on the clock when Chris Jackson failed to control the ball, and Martin Paul ran through to shoot past Alan Foster.

In the 13th minute, things went from bad to worse as Alex Ball was allowed to race through midfield before smashing a 25-yard drive against a post, and Paul walked the rebound into an empty net.

Five minutes later, it was 3-0. Paul Lamb lost the ball in midfield, and Rob Claridge cut inside and fired an angled shot into the far corner, despite Foster getting a hand to it.

Banbury pulled a goal back in the 25th minute when Ady Fuller's cross-shot eluded Mangotsfield keeper Danny Greaves, and curled into the top corner for his 11th goal of the season.

In the second minute of first-half injury time, United cut the deficit to one goal.

Fuller floated a free-kick towards the far post, and after Greaves mishandled, Kieran Sullivan was on hand to headed the loose ball home for his first goal of the season.

Just 15 seconds into the second half, Banbury had a golden chance to equalise when the ball broke for Fuller, but he lifted his effort wide of goal from ten yards, with only Greaves to beat.

Banbury looked a lot more positive in the second half as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

But without Andy Baird, it was always going to be an uphill struggle after such a bad start, and the visitors were strong enough to resist Banbury's efforts.

And their fate was sealed in the third minute of injury time when they were caught on the break, and Claridge scrambled the ball home at the far post.

Banbury Utd: Foster, Robinson, Saulsbury, Sullivan, Jackson (Kinch 81), Fuller, Bridges (Gardner 56), Lamb, Gooderick, Redknap, Lazarus (Stanbridge 89). Subs not used: Brock, Tricker.

Attendance: 372.