'No excuses' from Austin as Harborough Town suffer rare defeat at in-form Banbury

The loss was only the third of the season for the title-chasing Bees in the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central, and was inflicted thanks to a close-range 73rd-minute strike from Joel Anker.

Austin admitted his team weren't at their best against a Puritans side that stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches, and the defeat means the stay four points adrift of leaders Spalding United, although they are still in a great position with three games in hand.

"Look, no excuses," Austin told @HarbTownFC. "We knew what we were coming into against a side that is full of confidence, like ourselves, and it was going to be a tough fixture.

"Ultimately, I think we have been beaten by the better side.

"Banbury did the basics really well, they pressed, they worked extremely hard and they looked a lot fresher than us, so maybe that little break they had (Banbury's game on Saturday was postponed) has helped them.

"They were organised, they counter-attacked us really well, and I have got to give them credit and it meant a lot to them.

"Without sounding arrogant, I think our very best is better than their best, but we weren't at that.

"I can't really put my finger on it, but again, we just got beat by the better side on the night.

"There are some things to reflect on but my lads have been fantastic, I mean we have lost three games all season.

"We have 12 games left, we have three games in hand on the leaders, and did we really think we would be in this situation? No, absolutely not."

The win boosted Banbury's own play-off hopes, and Kelvin Langmead's side enjoyed their victory with some exuberant celebrations.

And Austin admitted he believes every team his side play against between now and the end of the season will be trying that little bit harder to derail their promotion bid.

"Banbury are celebrating like they have won the league, which is decent because it shows what it is about beating Harborough and teams are raising their games to try and beat us," said Austin.

"Beating a Harborough, or stopping Harborough, or being the team that puts them out of the title race, and that could be the highlight of their season if they don't get into the play-offs.

"We have lost plenty of games, and I have seen teams celebrate wins against my teams over many years, and this is just another one.

"We have to just lick our wounds, let this fuel the fire."

Tuesday saw debuts for Haborough's two new signings, striker John Shamalo and midfielder Adil Nabi, while forward Danny Newton, who is currently serving a suspension, has also been recalled from his loan at Brackley Town.

"Those couple of signings will make us stronger, and we have Danny Newton to come back after Saturday to be available for next Tuesday, and we have a tough run."

The Bees are back at home on Saturday when they entertain mid-table Worcester City (ko 3pm).