BASINGSTOKE Town boss Terry Brown was a very disappointed man, after seeing his side lose their opening league game 1-0 to visiting Banbury United.

The visitors won the game thanks to a goal from Ricky Johnson just after the hour mark and also had defender Tamille Roache sent-off in the final minute, after he received a second yellow card.

Brown said: “It was a very disappointing afternoon. Full credit to Banbury they played well and deserved the win.

“We were unable to get in behind them today, which we have done in all our other home pre-seasons. I don’t think their keeper has had to make a save and ours has had a lot to do, so that tells the story of the game.”

Brown added: “I felt the sending off was harsh, but the referee has not cost us the game today we did not play well enough.

“If there was one positive, it was David Ray getting some game minutes and he looked good. We now have to bounce back at Merthyr on Tuesday night.”

After five straight wins in their pre-season games hopes were high for Brown’s boys as they took to the field against a side newly promoted into the Southern League Premier Division.

The Dragons started the better and had a corner in the first minute, which saw Charlie Kennedy head just wide Banbury soon found their feet and after 23 minutes had the ball in the net, as David Lynn’s free-kick was met by the head of Johnson, but it was ruled offside.

Soon after, Jack Self forced Town shot stopper Alex Tokarczyk into a smart save.

On the half hour mark, an excellent run from Bell found Johnson in the penalty area, but a superb tackle from Robert Akinson denied him the chance to shoot.

Soon after, Roache picked up the first yellow card of the game for a tame foul.

As the half came to a close, Matt Partridge made a nice run and fired just over and then Richie Whittingham also saw a chance go wide as it remained 0-0 at the break.

At half-time Town boss Brown made his first change as Ray came on in defence which allowed Partridge to move into midfield.

Once again the home side started the half the better pushing forward, but only a great save from Tokarczyk denied Self.

Sam Deadfield and Roache then both had chances, before Banbury scored their winner.

A lovely ball from Zac McEachran put in Johnson and despite Atkinson’s efforts on the line, the ball went into the net.

Soon after, Banbury nearly scored a second, as McEachran’s shot thumped off the crossbar.

On the 77 minute mark, McEachran crashed another shot into the stand behind the goal, just before Town had their best chance of the game as Roache’s cross to the back post found Dan Collier and his header was headed away.

Fellow sub Jarvis also made a difference when he came on, holding the ball up well, but Town were unable to fashion any more good chances.

In the final minute, Roache failed to see a player behind him and the foul saw him pick up a second yellow card, so he will now miss the home game against Kettering on August 20.

From the resulting free-kick, Duran Martin’s shot went over the wall and hit the top of the crossbar.

This was the final action of the game as Town were beaten, but it is only the first game of long campaign and no league title is won after just 90 minutes.

The Dragons will now dust themselves down and head to Merthyr on Tuesday night to face a Welsh side who drew 1-1 at King’s Lynn Town on Saturday.