BANBURY United secured second place in Division 1 South & West of the Evo-Stik Southern League with a 2-0 victory over close rivals Taunton Town on Saturday.

The result guarantees the Puritans home ties in the play-offs, starting with their semi-final against Winchester City tomorrow night.

Should Mike Ford’s team win, then they will be at home to either Taunton or Swindon Supermarine in the play-off final on Monday, May 2.

Taunton could have overtaken Banbury with a win, but the hosts were on top from the moment they took the lead in the 15th minute.

A long clearance from keeper Jack Harding found Felipe Barcelos, who outpaced the defence to score from the edge of the penalty area.

Banbury made it 2-0 in the 39th minute when Zac McEachran netted from ten yards after Barcelos’s shot had been cleared off the line.

The held on comfortably in a quiet second half.

Banbury Utd: Harding, White, Hopkins, Stanbridge (Wise 66), Westbrook, Gunn, McEachran, Nash, Johnson, Barcelos (Howards 77), Bell (Browne 81). Subs not used: Martin, Welch-Hayes.

Attendance: 558

North Leigh maintained their proud record of finishing in the top ten in all eight seasons since promotion with a 4-1 victory at home to basement side Bashley.

The hosts missed numerous gilt-edged chances before taking the lead in the 43rd minute when Jamie Cook curled a delightful left-foot shot out into the far corner from 12 yards.

Seconds before half-time, Cook made it 2-0, tapping home after Morgan Williams’s shot had been spilled.

Substitute Elliott Osborne-Ricketts added a third in the 68th minute – the 200th league goal Bashley conceded this season.

Bashley pulled a goal back in the 79th minute, Will Heather firing home a penalty after Sam Elkins had brought down Joseph Kieron

Right on full time the Millers added a fourth through midfielder Lance Williams to ensure their ninth-place finish.

North Leigh: Foster, Elkins, M Woodley, Turk, White (Fullerton 60),Westlake (Brown 70), Else, Hole, Cook (Osborne-Ricketts 45), L Williams, M Williams. Sub not used: Taylor

Attendance: 71

Didcot Town drew 0-0 at Swindon Supermarine in a drab spectacle.

The visitors were ultimately indebted to keeper Leigh Bedwell for preserving the stalemate as he denied Sam Morris and Josh Morse.

Didcot Tn: Bedwell, Collins, Organ, Martin (Self 67), Carnell, Learoyd, Woodhouse, Longford, Janes, Reid (Tanner 73), Barney (Powell 46). Subs not used: Edney, Beer.

Attendance: 223.

Wantage Town finished the season third from bottom after going down 4-0 away to Tiverton Town.

All the goals came in the first hour from Dan Smith (2), Owen Howe and Ben Mammola.