Albi Skendi will take the headlines with his hat-trick, and deservedly so, but it was an excellent all round performance from a United side that comfortably beat an in-form St Neots Town side who had arrived at the Spencer Stadium on an unbeaten run of five games.

Banbury began the game well and dominated the opening few minutes. In just the third minute a Kynan Isaac shot from 25 yards was tipped around the post for a corner by visiting goalkeeper Jack Giddens. United did not have long to wait to take the lead though as just a minute later an excellent cross from the right by Michael Hopkins was headed home at the far post by Skendi.

It was 2-0 in the 20th minute when Skendi was put through on goal and then he neatly took the ball around the goalkeeper before slotting the ball into the empty net.

Banbury had the better of the remainder of the first half with home custodian Warren Carter not being required to make any saves of note.

St Neots did look more dangerous at the start of the second half with substitute Kyle Asanti in particular looking lively as he ran at the Banbury defence. Carter was brought into the action on a couple of occasions to make saves.

In the 63rd minute an excellent piece of play saw Scott Bridges make a cross-field pass from the left over to Adeyinka Talabi wide on the right who then passed inside to Kynan Isaac whose shot from just outside the area saw Giddens scrambling low to his right to push the ball away. This was a good piece of football and indicative of how Banbury were playing.

The all important third goal for Banbury would come in the 72nd minute when a corner from the right by Hopkins was headed in at the near post by Skendi to complete his hat-trick. Just two minutes later it was nearly 4-0 as a cross from the left by Hopkins was met by Harry White, only for the ball to go just over the bar.

In the 78th minute St Neots reduced the deficit when the ball fell to Ed Adjei just outside the penalty area, his well struck shot flying into the bottom corner of the net.

Despite conceding, Banbury would not be unduly troubled in the remainder of the game and in fact came closest to another goal when Scott Bridges set up White but the young striker's shot was well saved by Giddens.

This was not only an impressive result against an in-form side but also a noteworthy performance with Banbury playing some excellent football which delighted the healthy crowd that were watching the proceedings. The United players fully deserved the applause they received at the end of the game and can now go to "near Championship certainties" Leamington on Monday full of confidence and with hopes of causing an upset.

Banbury United: Warren Carter, Luke Cray, Marvin Martin, Jack Ashton (Wayne Blossom 64), Tom Ryan, Ben Polk, Scott Bridges, Adeyinka Talabi (Harry White 70), Albi Skendi, Kynan Isaac, Michael Hopkins (Ryan Plowright 85). Subs (not used): Warren Plowright, Ashley Dumbleton.

St Neots Town: Jack Giddens, Ryan Augur, Ed Adjei, Adrian Sear, Arthur Lee, Gavin Hoyte, Andre Da Costa (Jordy Nkinga 60), Tom Wood (Kyle Asante 46), Lewis Hilliard, Jack Werndly (Reece Loudon 60), Nathan Koranteng. Subs (not used): Ryan Sharman, Richard King.

Attendance: 292