A fine New Year’s Day performance lifted Saints into the play-off places for the first time this season, a goal late in each half settling a competitive encounter at Court Place Farm.

“The lads were excellent and implemented our game strategy very well,” Gavin Cowan said. “Their attitude and application and the way they went about things today were incredible.”

A first half dominated by the visitors saw Jonny Maxted’s goal only once under threat as Zac McEachran and Josh Parker combined well only for McEachran to poke the shot wide on 37 minutes. Otherwise chances were all at the other end with Kai McKenzie-Lyle twice saving from Morgan Roberts and defenders scrambling clear from no fewer than eight first half corners before Connor Hall’s deft header in added time put Saints deservedly ahead after determined play by Matt Lowe set up Alfie Bates’ cross.

The second half was a more open contest but Maxted was only once called into action, saving at full stretch from Parker’s header. Gaz Dean’s header was kept out by the woodwork from Bates’ free-kick with the goalkeeper beaten before Shane Byrne’s 88th minute penalty put the result beyond doubt leaving his side in 5th place at the exact midway point of the season.

“We went in at half-time pleased to be ahead but had expected to be further ahead given the way the game had gone,” Cowan added. “We knew the second half would be a different test as they changed it tactically at times but we countered that. There is a thirst and desire among this group and today is a brilliant and well deserved three points.”

Brackley Town: Maxted, Carline, Lyttle, Dean, Griffin, Calder, Lowe, Byrne, Roberts, Bates, Hall (Okafor 85). Subs unused: O’Sullivan, Arlott-John, Donawa, Abbey.

Oxford City: McKenzie-Lyle, Ashby, Jones, Coyle, Fleet, McEachran, Parker, Scott (Andrews 66), Croker, Carbon (Burley 74), Drewe. Subs unused: Ezennolim, Kpekawa, Potter.

Referee: Harry Warner Assistants: Josh Eyre and Thomas Durno 4th official: Mitchell Cartwright

Attendance: 958