In a repeat score-line from 12 months ago Saints took the three points in another tightly fought contest in which keepers were rarely tested but the Boxing Day crowd was kept on the edge of their seats until the last.

Brackley should have been ahead in just the second minute as Danny Newton’s header was pawed away by jack Harding only for Jimmy Armson to fire wide from close range. Just moments later and Brackley were in front as Newton touched in Morgan Roberts’ header in an exhilarating opening to the game.

Banbury grew into the game with Gaz Dean blocking Tai Fleming’s fierce shot on the half hour and Aidan Elliott-Wheeler firing wide after a goalmouth scramble. In added time Bobby Jones saved well from Ken Charles leaping high to his left.

Neither side threatened the ‘keepers in a tight and sometimes tetchy second period as Saints closed out an important away win to extend Banbury’s winless home run that stretches back to September.

“I am pleased for the lads, everyone associated with the club and especially the fans getting a deserved result after some games when the results haven’t matched the performance,” Gavin Cowan said. “It was pleasing to get that early goal and thereafter they haven’t really laid a glove on us. We were organised out of possession and the lads were very disciplined. We had to change things up a little today, be a bit more direct and be a bit more tenacious and we got the win. It wasn’t a great game of football today but make no mistake I am happier than ever with three points.”

Tickets for the New Years's Day game at St James Park can be bought online here:

Brackley Town: Jones, Calder, Dean, Gudger, Lyttle, Murombedzi, Bates (O’Sullivan 70), Armson, Matwasa (Jervis 83), Newton, Roberts. Subs unused: McHale, Love, Turner.

Banbury United: Harding, Davies, Waller, Fleming, Elliott-Wheeler (Obadeyi 77) , Charles, Hewitt, Yussuf, Kelly-Evans, Giles, Maja. Subs unused: Maye, Scott, Othman.

Referee: Harry Jones Assistants: Sam Bayley and Lewis Mountain

Attendance: 1086