Potters Bar were unable to make it back-to-back victories in Home Counties Premier League Division One after they were held to a draw at Banbury.

The hosts elected to bat but might have regretted their decision early on as Bar made some good progress, leaving Banbury on 37 for three thanks to Marc Milligan (two for 56) and Tanweer Sikandar (one for 46).

However, the wickets came all too fleetingly for the visitors who were unable to make a real impression on the home order.

Banbury closed on 234 for seven thanks to impressive knocks from Craig Haupt (60), Edward Phillips (51) and John West (48), while Lenny Cooper was the best performing bowler, taking two at the expense of 25.

Bar’s reply got off to a fine start as they reached 85 before James Kettleborough (35) was the first to fall.

Antony Keely (67) and Cooper (40) continued to score well but aside from George Scott’s 31, there was little to cheer in the rest of the order.

Tailenders Mike Palmer and Salman Choudhry were able to hold on to claim the draw though, as Bar’s innings concluded at 221 for nine after 54 overs.

Ashley Blanchard’s four-wicket haul was a thorn in the Bar side but despite the Banbury attack’s best efforts, the visitors held firm to secure a share of the spoils.

Bar will be back in action at home on Saturday when they welcome Harpenden to the Walk, with the visitors sitting just one place higher in the table.