A first half of little incident but edged by the visitors gave way to an altogether more intense second period as a lacklustre Saints emerged from the break on the front foot to take the game to Banbury, taking the lead before being pegged back by a spectacular finish from substitute Harry Landers.

“You could tell we hadn’t played for three weeks because in the first half we weren’t at the races at all“, conceded Roger Johnson. “We were flat but we came out second half, were a bit more creative and got our goal. But I am disappointed today and it feels like points dropped maybe.”

Cosmas Matwasa’s fine work demanded last-ditch defending on 50 minutes to keep the scores level as Banbury were forced onto the back foot for the first time. The pressure drew results as Adam Rooney created the opening and finished smartly with 64 minutes played to put his side in front. Substitute Jimmy Armson’s header from Matwasa’s cross was too high as Brackley looked on course to record the win to return them to the top of the table.

Landers had been on the pitch for only moments when Jack Stevens’ cross-field pass picked out the substitute in space and he found the perfect finish beyond Danny Lewis from 20 yards to level the scores.

Brackley were close to finding a winner as Armson’s header was cleared off the line, but neither side did enough to warrant the three points and the first derby in a decade ended in honours even ahead of the New Year’s Day return match.

“We need to become more clinical in killing games off,” Johnson continued. “Too many draws are creeping in and we need to start getting those three points on the board. But we will prepare properly and just need a performance level a tad higher than it was today. Derby games are great and we will look forward to it.”

Brackley Town: Lewis, Carline, Walker, Woods (Amantchi 90), Calder, Dean, Matwasa, Richards, Rooney (A.Yussuf 71), Stead, Murombedzi (Armson 71). Subs unused: Lopes, Cullinane-LIburd.

Banbury United: Harding, Roberts, Brown (Dugmore 85), Smile, Williams, Rasulo, Stevens, Acquaye, Hickman (Landers 77), Radcliffe, Babos (Gordon 57). Subs unused: Langmead, Reilly.

Referee: Andy Humphries Assistants: William Booth and Matt Jackson

Attendance: 1026

PIC: By Glenn Alcock