British Gas Business Football League Premier Division
Saturday 9 September 2006 - Spencer Stadium - kick off 3.00pm
half-time: 0-0 result: D1-1 attendance: 463
team: Evans, Clarke (Rogers 51), S Jones (Davidge 70), Coupe (c), G Jones, Holland, Green, Hogg, Pritchard (Walsh 70), Partridge, McKeever. subs not used: Rollo, Holloway.
man of the match: Mark McKeever
scorers: Partridge (83)
bookings: Coupe (62)
officials: R Kendall (Luton), S McCarthy (Leamington Spa), S Rolfe (Bedworth)
league position: 6th form: DdWLWD next match: Tiverton (H) (FAC)
Report taken from by Richard Gadsby

Scott Partridge is quickly gathering a reputation as the comeback king in Oxfordshire. The Bath City hot-shot, who has now hit five goals this campaign, struck a late equaliser to deprive Banbury United of two points on Saturday. His effort followed last season's heroics, when he completed a second- half hat-trick to turnaround a 2-0 half-time deficit. City deserved something from the game, and probably shaded possession, but they were forced to ride their luck at times and owe goalkeeper Paul Evans a huge debt of thanks for a great penalty save just before half-time.

It had all started so well for John Relish's side, who were seeking their second away win inside five days. After a frenetic opening five minutes, City soon took control of the game and it looked like their talented array of players had finally clicked following some excellent pass and move football. They created two good chances in the opening ten minutes - both within seconds of each other. A slick passing move between four City players led to Lewis Hogg curling a shot over from just inside the edge of the area. Partridge then forced veteran goalkeeper Alan Judge into a point-blank save when he managed to turn his marker and shoot from inside the six-yard box. Banbury were still on the racks when they created their first opening ten minutes later. A well-worked free- kick saw Ady Fuller's curling set piece headed wide from five yards by Andy Baird. More City pressure followed, but it was Banbury who should have taken the lead with a minute of the half left when Mike Green was harshly judged to have tripped Jon Gardner in the box as the winger raced across his path. Fuller stepped up to take the penalty, but Evans guessed right to pull off a great diving save and Baird could only head over from the rebound with the goal begging.

It should have served as a warning to City as they trudged off at half-time, but, straight from the restart, Banbury took the lead. An early cross from Gardner on the left caught three City defenders napping and the onrushing Stuart Bridges was on hand to smash the ball home at the far post. The goal seemed to deflate City and Banbury grew into the game as the half wore on. Former Football League strikers Baird and Howard Forinton gave City's defence a frustrating masterclass in how to win soft free-kicks and it looked like time would run out as City slowly pressed the home side on to the back foot. But, with just seven minutes to go, City conjured up an equaliser when Craig Davidge's cross was flicked on for Banbury bogey man Partridge to stab home from an acute angle. City pressed for another, with headers from right-back Matt Coupe and Phillip Walsh both going close, but there was to be no injury-time winner this time around and the home side managed to hold on for a point.