However, on the half hour a defensive mistake allowed Jordan Norville-Williams in on goal and he slotted the ball past Jack Harding in the Banbury goal from ten yards to put St Neots ahead.

With Banbury having offered nothing to trouble St Neots going forward, manager Mike Ford brought on Elliot Sandy in place of Amer Awadh.

In the 34th minute St Neots went close to doubling their lead when a long range shot from Dion Sembie-Ferris saw Harding do well to tip the ball round his post for a corner.

Banbury though at this point responded well to having gone behind and finally began to ask questions of the St Neots defence. Right on half time they went close to equalising when a cross from the left by Paul Stonehouse saw Ricky Johnson’s header very well saved by Finley Iron, diving to his right.

The beginning of the second half saw Tom Winters on for Anthony Wright but the early play was dominated by St Neots with their forwards causing all sorts of problems with their pace and it was no surprise when they scored a second goal on 50 minutes, a cross coming in from the left being knocked home from close range by Dylan Williams.

It was all St Neots now with Banbury struggling to even get the ball out of their own half. On 58 minutes the home side went close again when a corner from the left saw Liam McDevitt’s header strike the crossbar.

On 73 minutes a rare Banbury forward move saw Jack Self put Elliot Sandy through down the right with his shot from a narrow angle going just over the bar but that was as good as it got for United in this half.

St Neots would have the last word when Dion Sembie- Ferris set up former Puritan Nabil Shariff who fired the ball home from close range to make it 3-0, a final scoreline which was a fair reflection of the game.

Of course, United’s recent heavy schedule may well have played a part in this lack-lustre performance but even so a most disappointing night for United who can have no complaints about the scoreline.

St Neots Town: Finley Iron, Scott Sinclair, Johnny Herd, Luke Knight (Johnny Butler 90), Liam McDevitt, Taylor Parr, Dylan Williams, David Bridges (Tom Woods 86), Dion Sembie-Ferris, Nabil Shariff (Kyran Wiltshire 88), Jordan Norville-Williams. Subs (not used) None.

Banbury United: Jack Harding, Jordy Ngathe, Paul Stonehouse, George Nash (Leam Howards 66), Tom Bradbury, Charlie Wise, Jack Self, Jack Finch, Ricky Johnson, Anthony Wright (Tom Winters 46), Amer Awadh (Elliot Sandy 33). Subs (not used): Stephane Ngamvoulou, Sam Humphreys.

Attendance 166