United manager Mike Ford opted for the same starting eleven that had done duty against Winchester on Saturday.

After an uneventful first quarter of an hour, United began to put their visitors under some pressure with a series of corners. From the first Ricky Johnson's header was punched away from under the crossbar by Jake Varney in the Bridgwater goal. Then the second led to a fierce on-target drive from the edge of the penalty area by Duran Martin which was well blocked by a defender and the third saw a header from Jack Westbrook headed away off the line.

However, United would not have long to wait to take the lead as in the 21st minute Darius Browne set Felipe Barcelos away down the left with the Brazilian then cutting inside before doing well to make room for a shot eight yards out which went low past Jake Viney into the corner of the Bridgwater net.

Banbury would now go on to have much the better of the game. The 31st minute saw a good run down the left by Browne who then cut the ball back from the bye-line to Zac McEachran who did well to make room for a shot six yards out but his effort was well blocked by defender Josh White. The loose ball was picked up by George Nash on the right who passed it into Callum White who then played a neat one-two with Martin before hitting the side netting from a narrow angle.

Banbury dominated the final quarter of an hour of the half but couldn't add to their earlier goal.

Two minutes into the second half and a cross from the left by Browne saw Johnson head wide. At this point the visitors had a better spell with James Burns after 52 minutes firing a free-kick from a central position 20 yards out just wide and then just two minutes later there most promising move of the game saw Ben Palmer go on a storming run in from deep on the left, exchange passes with Ibrahima Diallo and then get the better of Jack Westbrook only to see Banbury goalkeeper Jack Harding do well to tip his shot from six yards over the bar.

United would though get the crucial second goal in the 60th minute via an own goal. A Darius Browne corner from the right was put onto the six yard line where James Burns at the near post got up well only for him to head the ball backwards into the far corner of the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Just two minutes later and it should have been 3-0 when Michael Hopkins crossed low from the bye-line on the left, the ball finding McEachran just five yards at the far post out but he shot well over the bar.

And in the 68th minute it should certainly have been 3-0 when Leam Howards was put through down the left by McEachran, the United striker then being brought down inside the penalty area by Kane Tucker but Johnson's penalty kick was well saved by Viney low down to his left.

With a quarter of an hour to go Miles Welch-Hayes went on a run in from the right before laying the ball back into the path of the incoming Martin whose shot from 20 yards looked bound for the top corner but Viney did well to keep the shot out with Tucker then hacking the ball away.

Six minutes from time following a good spell for the plucky visitors they pulled a goal back. An initial shot from Diallo was blocked by Welch-Hayes but the loose ball fell nicely into the path of Reeko Best who struck it home into the bottom corner of the net from 15 yards.

It was an anxious final ten minutes of play, including stoppage time, but Harding was not overly troubled and Banbury should really have increased their one goal winning margin. Firstly Ollie Stanbridge's cross from the right was headed over the crossbar by Johnson from close range and then in stoppage time a Nash cross low into the centre from the right saw a glorious chance for Howards but he shot over the bar from just four yards out.

So though this was far from one of United's better performances of the season, they were for sure the better side and worthy winners which extends their winning league run to nine games

Banbury United: Jack Harding, Callum White (Miles Welch-Hayes 46), Michael Hopkins, Duran Martin, Jack Westbrook, Andy Gunn, Zac McEachran, George Nash, Ricky Johnson, Felipe Barcelos (Ollie Stanbridge 85), Darius Browne (Leam Howards 66). Subs (not used) Charlie Wise, Jacob Blackstock.

Bridgwater Town: Jake Viney, Micky Duffy, Ben Palmer, Sam Towler, Jamie Adams, Josh White, Reeko Best, James Burns, Matt Connick, Ibrahima Diallo, Tom Hopkins. Subs (all used): Alex Male (76), Kane Tucker (66), Kofi Martin (71).

Attendance: 302