It was an uneventful opening to the game but on 18 minutes United went ahead when Darius Bowne on the left set up Duran Martin who coming in hit a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area low into the bottom corner of the net.

However, Hartley Witney were level just a minute later when Rossi Cook scored with a beauty of a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area which flew past Jack Harding into the top corner of the net.

Banbury had a lot of possession as the half developed and played some good football but were unable to create clear chances. The nearest United came to a second in this period was when Browne crossed from the left into the path of Zac McEachran who got to the ball just ahead of a defender but his shot from 12 yards went wide.

The game though swung Hartley Wintney’s way in the final minute of the half when Sam Argent was brought down by Andy Gunn in the Banbury penalty area. Harding did well to save Argent’s spot-kick but with Gunn being sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity United now faced playing the whole of the second half with a man disadvantage.

Hartley Wintney were the better side at the start of the second half. On 51 minutes Argent missed a glorious chance to put the home side ahead but failed to connect properly with a header from just five yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Banbury though would work hard and continue to play their football and got their reward on 58 minutes when they re-took the lead when a cross from the right by Brian Bowles found Mark Bell in space at the far post and he struck the ball back across the custodian into the far corner of the net.

Hartley Wintney though responded well to going behind for a second time and were level once more on 69 minutes when Steven Duff fired the ball home from the right hand edge of the penalty area.

The home side now sensed victory and on 80 minutes they were in front for the first time when Cook waltzed through a couple of defenders from just outside the penalty area before striking the ball home past Harding from eight yards.

With five minutes to go Cook completed his hat-trick to add a fourth goal for Hartley Wintney and though a minute later Ricky Johnson looked to have headed United back into the game his effort was ruled out for off-side. Then a minute later Adam Everiss scored for the home side to make the final score 5-2.

It was always going to be difficult with a man disadvantage for the whole of the second half against a side who have won every game they have played this season. And so it proved, but it was another disappointing afternoon in the FA Cup for United whose dreams of reaching the First Round Proper for the first time in over 40 years will have to wait for at least another season.

United will be looking to bounce back when they entertain Evesham United in a league game on Monday 3.00pm

Banbury United: Jack Harding, Callum White, Jon Steedman, Duran Martin, Ricky Johnson, Andy Gunn, Zac McEachran (Jack McLaughlin 59), Brian Bowles, Louis Joyce (Leam Howards 70), Mark Bell, Darius Browne (Carl Tappin 46). Subs (not used): Bradley Cox, Bradley Partner.

Attendance: 186