TIVERTON Town overturned a two-goal deficit to claim their second point of the season at Banbury United on Saturday.

Joe Bushin's penalty on the stroke of half-time gave Chris Vinnicombe's side hope and veteran Mark Saunders completed the comeback in the second half to help Tiverton to a deserved share of the spoils.

But the afternoon was bittersweet for Vinnicombe as he witnessed his goalkeeper Chris Wright suffer a broken arm midway through the first half, when he collided accidentally with Banbury's Nabil Shariff.

The Oxfordshire side started brightly and took the lead after 10 minutes, when Delroy Gordon reacted quickest to nod home Marvin Martin's free-kick. And the hosts were a constant threat on the break as Shariff and strike partner Jason Taylor used their pace to stretch the Tiverton defence.

But, for all their running, they seldom managed to work the ball into goalscoring positions and Tiverton gradually began to dominate possession.

However, the Yellows were unsettled when Wright punched clear a high ball under pressure, only to bring his arm down as Shariff arrived to challenge. And after lengthy treatment Wright was forced out of the action, with central defender Tom Gardner taking the gloves. Tiverton's woes increased a few minutes later as Shariff broke the offside trap, rounded Gardner and rolled the ball into an empty net to increase Banbury's lead.

Curiously it was the first goal Gardner had conceded when playing between the sticks for Tiverton, despite having covered with the gloves three times previously — twice for the full 90 minutes.

At that point it was difficult to see how Tivvy could get back into the contest, but it is a mark of the character that Vinnicombe has instilled in the team already that they didn't allow their heads to drop and they continued to play patiently and inventively.

The ploy finally bore fruit just before the break, when Bushin wriggled free on the right wing and was tripped as he drove into the area. Despite protests from the home players, the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Bushin smashed the penalty down the middle as Banbury keeper Joe Murrell anticipated a shot to his left.

There was little to choose between the sides in terms of quality in the first half and the second period followed a similar pattern, with Tiverton preferring the patient approach while Banbury looked to play direct balls in behind the Yellows' defence.

And it was the former tactic that proved most effective, Saunders deservedly notching a 70th-minute equaliser when he tapped home Russell Jee's teasing free-kick at the back post.

Banbury tried to increase the tempo of the game and began to play higher up the pitch, but Tiverton's defence stood firm and Gardner was well protected. Even when called upon, the makeshift goalkeeper was up to the task, making a fine double save from Taylor and claiming a series of corners in quick succession with the assurance of a regular custodian.

Indeed, Tivvy weren't in any way cautious in their approach despite the perceived fallibility. Twice Bushin might have stolen all three points, only to loop an awkward chance over the bar and then drill a shot wide of Murrell's post when well placed.

As it was the game ended level and Vinnicombe was naturally delighted that his team had salvaged a point on a day when the final result was ultimately not the main concern.

Wright is expected to be out for at least six weeks and Vinnicombe has moved swiftly to bring in former Bideford goalkeeper Ryan Draper ahead of tonight's match against Evesham United at Ladysmead.

Tiverton: Wright (R Jee, 32), Coppard, Vinnicombe, Ellis, Adam Faux, Gardner, Steele, Saunders, Bushin, Mortimer (Densham, 73), Alex Faux. Subs not used: Carpenter, Hambly, Sampson