Banbury though got off to the best of starts when they took the lead in the first minute when a right wing corner taken by Ben Whitehead was headed home by Tom Fishwick.

However, the lead would last just two minutes when Samuel Bobes-Gilroy burst through from midfield evading a couple of challenges before slotting the ball past Leigh Bedwell.

Within 30 seconds of the re-start Banbury were nearly in front again when Carl Tappin’s shot from eight yards from a cross from the right from Whitehead was superbly tipped over the bar by Luke Williams in the Hereford goal.

The first half continued to be open with both sides creating chances though the visitors from this point on always seemed to have the edge,

In the 23rd minute Daniel Sullivan’s pass put Obi Onyeike through on goal who shot past Bedwell from the edge of the penalty area as the custodian came out only to be unfortunate to see his shot hit the post and come out.

On the half hour a superb 30 yard shot from Onyeike looked bound for the top of the net only for Bedwell to pull off an excellent save by tipping the ball onto the crossbar and over.

This was to be no denying Hereford though and two minutes later they were in front when Josh Hawker made a good run down the right hand side and receiving the ball from Serge Moir Diop he then cut inside before striking it from a narrow angle past Bedwell into the far corner of the net.

Hereford were much boosted by taking the lead and had much the better of the remainder of the half.

Hereford continued to look dangerous after the break and it was no surprise when they made it 3-1 in the 58th minute when Steve Vetier cut into the penalty area before hitting the ball into corner of the net past Bedwell.

Banbury never seriously looked like getting back into the contest after this and though two goals in stoppage time from Bilal Yafai and then Onyeike perhaps made it rather a harsh scoreline there is no disputing Hereford were much the better team on the night and fully deserved their victory.

Banbury United: Leigh Bedwell, Luke Cray, Nkosi Mzungwana (Adeyinka Talabi 57), Carl Tappin (David Lynn 46), Tom Fishwick, Jack Westbrook, Aidan Hawtin, Marvin Martin, Josh Shama (Jacob Walcott 68), Leam Howards, Ben Whitehead. Subs (not used): Darius Browne, Declan Hartigan

Hereford United: Luke Williams, Javia Roberts, Louis Cutajar, Josh Hawker, Brad Lee-Gascoigne, Delroy Gordon, Obi Onyeike, Samuel Bobes-Gilroy, Serge Moir Diop (Jay Knight 80), Daniel Sullivan (Bilal Yafai 62), Steve Vetier (Gary O'Neil 72). Subs (not used): Marti Farmer, Daniel O'Reilly.

Attendance: 344