United put in an improved performance and took a two goal lead at Frome but playing with ten men for 75 minutes proves too big an ask in the second half and the home side eventually run out 4-2 winners.

A much changed United side, under new management, got off to the best of starts going ahead in the third minute when Oxford United loanee Josh Shama took advantage of a misunderstanding between Rhys Baggridge and Tom Golledge and finding himself in on goal then neatly struck the ball over the custodian from the edge of the penalty area. United continued to look dangerous and four minutes later a corner from the right was headed just over the bar by Tom Fishwick.

United would though on the quarter of an hour mark be dealt a serious blow to their chances of picking up points when Lewis Strafford was shown a straight red card for a poor challenge.

In the 21st minute United were indebted to goalkeeper Leigh Bedwell who made a superb save from Mark Francis to keep the Puritans in front.

Despite the numerical disadvantage United continued to create chances and in the 33rd minute a cross from the right was headed narrowly over by Shama.

On 38 minutes Ben Thomson did well to create an excellent chance but then saw his shot deflected over the bar for a corner. However, just two minutes later and Jacob Walcott was pushed over by home custodian Lewis Pierre inside the penalty area with the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Walcott then neatly converted the spot-kick.

Just when it looked as though United would go into the half-time break with a 2-0 advantage, Frome scored in the second minute of stoppage time when a cross from the right was not well defended and Baggridge poked the ball home from close in.

Frome were obviously boosted by the goal and started the second half much better. Just two minutes after the re-start Matt Smith had a glorious chance but blasted the ball over the bar from eight yards. United could have taken advantage of this miss but failed to do so two minutes later when Shama’s shot from a good position was saved by the goalkeeper.

Frome got the equaliser that had been threatening in the 62nd minute when Thomson passed the ball across the penalty area to Francis who struck the ball home from close in.

Frome were now having h the better of the game as the man advantage at last seemed to come into play as United visibly tired. Despite this Shama had a chance to put United back in front in the 74th minute when a defensive mix-up let him in but in a scramble he was unable to force the ball home.

Frome would go in front for the first time in the game ten minutes from time when Ricky Hulbert’s cross from the right somehow found its way across the goal in the six yard box and Thomson knocked it home from close in.

There was still a good chance for United five minutes from time when a cross from the right by Darius Browne flashed across the six yard box without any Banbury player able to get a touch on it.

The final minute of the game saw a quick breakaway from Frome as Banbury pushed players forward in search of an equaliser. This resulted in a Baggridge cross coming in from the right which was struck home from the edge of the penalty area by Francis.

It might be seven games and seven defeats but this was a much improved performance from United. Despite the defeat it was for probably the first time this season a game which was also enjoyable to watch.

Frome Town: Lewis Pierre, Josh Ford, Mark Cooper, Rhys Baggridge, Tom Golledge (Dylan Bonella 68) , Jon Vance, Ricky Hulbert, Matt Smith, Mark Francis, Ben Thomson, Brendon Munday. Subs (not used): Matt Cowler, Johnny Lynn, Luke Rider, Jack Twyford.

Banbury United:Leigh Bedwell, Leo Agathangelou (Ben Twitchings 16), Nkosi Mzungwana, Jack Westbrook, Lewis Strafford, Tom Fishwick, Jacob Walcott, Aidan Hawtin, Josh Shama (Leam Howards 76), Darius Browne, Nic Evangelinos (Ciaran Houston 55). Subs (not used): Elias Katsouloudi, Carl Tappin.

Attendance: 161