With Joe Murrell away Banbury played Tom Cross, on loan from Corby Town, in goal. Adam Learoyd was also away. There was a new face in defence with Callum Burgess, recently released by Brackley Town, in the starting line up.

Oxford United took the lead after 10 minutes when Banbury defenders seemed to get in one another's way and the ball fell to Sam Deering on the edge of penalty area and his shot found the back of the net though Cross will be very dissapointed to have failed to save it.

Five minutes later a corner by Marvin Martin was met by Nathan Haisley umarked on the edge of the Oxford six yard box but somehow he managed to head the ball wide of the goal. Mid-way through the half Scott Cross was put through and had a good opportunity to score but he delayed in shooting and the chance was missed. Banbury performed reasonably well for the rest of the half with their fair share of possession but the score remained 1-0 to Oxford United at half-time.

Five minutes into the second half David Staff went on an excellent run down the left wing, cut inside and then hit a superb curling shot which beat Simon Eastwood but Banbury had the misfortune to see his effort strike the cross bar.

However within three minutes it was 2-0 to the visitors when Callum Burgess pushed Sam Deering in the penalty area and Mitchell Cole converted the spot-kick. Just three minutes later Oxford United made it 3-0 when a ball was squared back to Chelsea loanee Danny Philliskirk who struck the ball home.

The scoreline was rather flattering to Oxford at this point and to their credit Banbury performed well for the rest of the game. The last ten minutes saw a couple of excellent saves by Eastwood in the Oxford goal. On 83 minutes Rob Foster was put through on the left and, after expertly and quickly controlling the ball, he centred it for Scott Cross, only for the former Northampton Town striker to see his shot superbly saved. Three minutes from time a Marvin Martin effort from just outside the area was just tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper.

Though this was a convincing win result wise for Oxford United, Banbury's performance for large parts of the game was better than the scoreline would suggest.

Banbury's next game is at home to Conference side Rushden & Diamonds on Wednesday evening - kick-off 7.45pm

Banbury United: Tom Cross, Callum Burgess, Marvin Martin, Nathan Haisley, Delroy Gordon, Ross Oulton (Kameron Abbassi), Joe Coleman, Declan Benjamin, Scott Cross, Jason Taylor (Rob Foster), David Staff. Subs (not used): Connor Hayes, John Mbamarah, James Peppiatt

Oxford United: Simon Eastwood, Sam Parish, Steve Kinniburgh, Richie Baker (Jamie Connor), Leigh Franks, Henry Owen (Simon Clist), Danny Philliskirk (Conor McDonagh), Lee Sawyer (Dan West), Aaron Woodley, Sam Deering, Mitchell Cole. Sub (not used): Nathan Silver

Attendance: 369