Banbury United’s spirited battle against the drop from the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division continued with a brilliant 4-0 victory against Histon at the Spencer Stadium on Saturday.

The Puritans, who were boosted by a brace from Leam Howards, go into tomorrow’s rearranged home game against Slough Town knowing that victory will take their relegation battle to the last day of the season.

Banbury would then need to win at Chesham United, while hoping that Frome lose at home to play-off chasing St Neots.

The final relegation spot would then be decided on goal difference.

It is still long odds against Paul Davis’s side staying up, but at least they are taking their survival bid to the wire.

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Banbury took the lead in the 19th minute when a long kick downfield from goalkeeper Leigh Bedwell was knocked forward by Jordan Green towards Kynan Isaac who lifted the ball over an exposed Enol Ordonez in the Histon goal.

After Isaac had shot over from six yards out early in the second half, Banbury doubled their lead just before the hour mark when Howards finished from close range after Joel Meade’s shot had been blocked.

Just 15 seconds after Histon had kicked off, Bedwell spread himself superbly to deny Ayrton Bevins.

Histon had their best spell of the game, but Bevins missed two great chances.

Banbury sealed the points in the 83rd minute, when Howards back-heeled the ball into the net after his first shot had been blocked.

Histon’s Ashley White was sent off for a second yellow card before sub Carl Tappin added Banbury’s fourth with three minutes left.

Banbury: Bedwell, Daffern, Martin, Meade, Westbrook, Ryan, Green (Walcott 79), Murombedzi (Tappin 85), Howards, Isaac, Abdellah (Cray 74). Subs not used: Browne, Fishwick.

Attendance: 336.