It was an even opening to the game but it was Banbury who would make the breakthrough in the 19th minute when Jack McLaughlin put the lively Leam Howards through on goal who competently beat the advancing Jake Viney in the Bridgwater goal.

The home side did respond to going behind and on 25 minutes it took a decent save from Jack Harding to deny Conor O’Sullivan from a free-kick just outside the Banbury penalty area. Three minutes later Ross McNab should have done better but he shot well wide from the edge off the penalty area.

But on 30 minutes United took a firm grip on the game when excellent build up play down the right ended with Howards passing across from inside the penalty area on the right to Zac McEachran who neatly converted the chance past the home custodian.

Four minutes before the interval Duran Martin hit the woodwork but two minutes later it was 3-0 when Ricky Johnson caused problems in the Bridgwater penalty area at a set play and though his effort should have been comfortably saved by Viney the home custodian made a mess of it and presented Howards with a simple tap-in from under the crossbar.

Bridgwater were improved at the start of the second half, despite their three goal deficit at the break and after hitting the bar on 53 minutes they pulled a goal back on 61 minutes when Reeko Best was put through and slotted the ball past Harding into the bottom corner of the net.

Straight from the kick-off Mark Bell attempted an audacious shot which caught goalkeeper Viney out, only to see the ball smash against the crossbar.

Bridgwater had the better of the next period but Banbury defended well and three minutes from time Howards should have got his hat-trick but when through on goal saw his shot saved by the advancing goalkeeper.

United would though have the last word when two minutes into stoppage time a superb overhead kick from Carl Tappin from 12 yards, an early contender for goal of the season, hit the back of the net.

Bridgwater Town: Jake Viney, Kye Thomas (Kaine Gazzard 3), Conor O'Sullivan, Kye Mountford, Mike Mullins, Josh White, Reeko Best, Harry Horton, Ross McNab, Joe Bushin, Josh Wadham (Zac Ryder 59). Sub (not used) Liam McCaughey.

Banbury United: Jack Harding, Callum White, Jon Steedman, Duran Martin, Ricky Johnson, Andy Gunn, Nic Evangelinos (5arius Browne 60), Jac kMcLaughlin, Leam Howards, Mark Bell (Carl Tappin 79), Zac McEachran (Reece Bayliss 81). Subs (not used): Bradley Cox, Brian Bowles.

Attendance: 153