BASINGSTOKE Town played play-off hopefuls Banbury United off the park on Tuesday night in Oxfordshire, despite just winning 1-0.

The Dragons turned in their best performance on the road, and a superb free-kick which was worthy of winning any game from Nana Owusu earned them the three points.

Town manager Terry Brown was without the suspended Matt Partridge and injured Ashleigh Artwell, as they faced a side sixth in the table and who had beat them on the opening day of the season.

The visitors impressed from the start and Charlie Kennedy was denied by the post in the opening 15 minutes.

Dan Collier was Town's midfield general with George Bennett and Marcus Johnson-Schuster playing excellent as wing back, while Owusu was unplayable.

The home side took until just before the break to really test Alex Tokarczyk, as he forced into a good save to deny Conor McDonagh.

The Dragons took the lead after 51 minutes, as Owusu was fouled outside the box, but managed to get the ball for Arron Jarvis, who again was outstanding as the lone striker.

The Town forward was felled in the box, by sub George Nash and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty.

However, after consulting with his assistant, who had flagged for Jarvis being offside, So the visitors were awarded a free-kick which Owusu dispatched into the top corner, leaving Banbury goalie Jack Harding no chance.

Banbury pressed for a equaliser, but found it hard to carve any chances and when they did Tokarczyk made a couple of good saves to deny Luke Carnell and Scott Humphreys.

With five minutes left, Will Shaw came on for his first team debut as captain David Ray was forced off due to injury as Town conclude a fine performance with a victory.

The three points moved them 16 points clear of the relegation zone, and on Saturday they have the chance to move up the table from 15th, when they face visitors Weymouth.