Banbury United won promotion back to the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division at the first attempt with a 2-0 win over Taunton Town. 

Goals from Zac McEachran and captain Andy Gunn clinched their play-off final victory to ensure the Puritans’ stay in Division 1 South & West was a short one.

The final whistle at Spencer Stadium was greeted by huge celebrations from the vast majority of the 1,228-strong crowd, including a pitch invasion as Banbury’s successful players huddled together in the centre of the pitch.

Nerves and heavy rain combined to ensure a cagey affair, with neither side able to stamp their authority on the game in the early stages.

Ricky Johnson volleyed an early effort well over the bar, while at the other end Jordan Rogers seized on a misplaced pass from George Nash but was unable to beat the goalkeeper with his low drive.

The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Felipe Barcelos pulled the ball back from the bye-line for McEachran, who cut inside and fired into the bottom corner.

Rogers could have levelled just after the half-hour mark, but headed over at the back post.

Taunton’s Jamie Short also had a free header six minutes from half-time when Owen Irish picked him out in the area, but he could only head it back across goal.

The visitors piled on the pressure after the break in a desperate quest for an equaliser, but they were unable to work an opening.

They appealed wildly for a penalty when the ball struck Johnson’s arm on the edge of the area, but referee Declan Bourne awarded a free-kick, with the Banbury defence comfortably clearing Ben Carter’s drilled ball across.

Having weathered the storm, Banbury struck the telling blow 11 minutes from time when substitute Darius Browne’s low free-kick was flicked on by Gunn to sneak into the bottom corner.

Banbury Utd: Harding, White, Hopkins, Stanbridge (Martin 68), Westbrook, Gunn, Bell (Browne 67), Nash, Johnson, Barcelos (Howards 85), McEachran. Subs not used: Wise, Welch-Hayes.

Attendance: 1,228.