It was a fairly even beginning to the game though as the half developed Brackley looked the more likely to make the breakthrough and this came in the 40th minute when good play down the left involving Glenn Walker and Curtis McDonald saw a cross find Elliott Sandy with his back to the goal just inside the Banbury penalty area. Sandy was though allowed to turn and shoot into the corner of the net past a helpless Andy Kemp.

Banbury began the second half positively and after just three minutes Howard Forinton fired in a shot from the edge of the area which Billy Turley did well to tip over the bar.

However, the game was effectively over in the 53rd minute when a corner on the left was turned in at the near post by Brett Solkhon to make it 2-0.

Banbury never looked like getting back into the game after Brackley's second goal and it was a relatively comfortable final 30 minutes for the Championship chasers.

With Swindon Supermarine winnning 2-0 at Chippenham Town, Banbury have now dropped into the relegation places for the first time this season and, without a win in their last nine league games, now have it all to do if they are to maintain their Premier Division status.

Banbury United: Andy Kemp, Simeon Williams, Tommy Kinch, Ben Thackeray, Dan Chilton (Josh Blake 46), Joe Coleman. Ryan Howell (Dior Angus 67), Josh Cole, Ricky Johnson, Howard Forinton (Danny Edmond 83), Ben Polk. Sub (not used): Liam Richardson

Brackley Town: Billy Turley, James Clifton, Curtis McDonald, Carl Palmer, Josh Green, Marvin Robinson, Owen Story, Brett Solkhon, Gary Mulligan (Will Green 68), Elliott Sandy (Joe Magunda 90), Glenn Walker. Subs (not used): Ellis Myles, Tommy Jaszczun, Tom Kemp.

Attendance: 483