A CONOR McDonagh goal just before half-time earned Banbury United a 1-0 victory at Hayes & Yeading to keep alive their hopes of a play-off place in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division.

McDonagh was one of three changes from the Puritans side from the side that lost 2-0 at Stratford, starting in place of Many Duku

Mark Bell came in for the unavailable Tom Winters, while Callum White, who was ill last week, returned in place of Eddie Odhiambo.

The visitors dictated the play from the start, McDonagh blasting the ball well over the bar from ten yards out, while Luke Carnell powered a headedr against the Hayes bar.

They took the lead in the 38th minute when Ricky Johnson nodded on Tom Bradbury’s cross into the path of McDonagh who struck the ball home from six yards.

The hosts improved in the second half and Banbury keeper Jack Harding had to make a great save from Mitchell Weiss in a one-on-one situation.

Banbury held on for a victory which takes them to within a point of Merthyr Town in the final play-off spot.

Banbury United: Harding, White, Bradbury (Self 70), Martin, Westbrook, Carnell, McEachran, Nash, Johnson, McDonagh (Duku 74), Bell (Browne 72). Subs not used: Odhiambo, Humphreys.

Attendance: 201.

Wantage Town’s relegation from Division 1 South & West was confirmed, but only after they gave a heroic display in a 3-2 defeat away to Hereford.

The Alfredians actually led the runaway champions for nearly an hour before succumbing to a last-minute goal from Pablo Haysham.

Wantage took a third-minute lead through Mark Francis and stayed in front until the 56th minute when Hereford levelled through Haysham’s deflected free-kick.

The visitors refused to lie down and regained the lead in the 75th minute through Jack Powell.

Hereford levelled through James Molyneux before breaking Wantage hearts with Haysham’s last-gasp winner.

North Leigh completed a four-day double over Bishops Cleeve with a 1-0 victory at Eynsham Park.

Following their 2-1 away win in midweek, this was a uneventful encounter, settled by a penalty.

In the first half, George Seacole saw two cracking shots saved by Cleeve keeper Matt Wieczorek.

But he could not stop Michael Hopkins’s 45th-minute spot-kick for handball against full back Olly Butler.

While North Leigh had the bulk of possession in the second hals, they were relieved to see Shane Bumphrey put Cleeve’s best chance wide, as they secured their fourth successive win.

North Leigh: Clayton, Lymn, Wellon, Turk (Cook 78), Hole, Sysum, M Williams (R James 54), L Williams, Seacole, Gunn, Hopkins. Subs not used: D James, Napa.

Attendance: 82.

Didcot Town earned their first away victory since late November as a late Louis Joyce goal saw them win 2-1 against relegated Bridgwater Town.

Joyce came off the bench to give Didcot just their third win on the road this season.

The visitors should have taken the lead early on after George Reid was tripped by Bridgwater goalkeeper Ashton Granter, who then saved the resultant penalty taken by George Jeacock.

The hosts took the lead in the 38th minute when Syd Camper capitalised on an under hit backpass to Didcot keeper Leigh Bedwell and slotted home.

Didcot levelled just before the hour when James Organ headed home from a corner.

Four minutes from time, they scored the winner when Sam Barder played in Joyce, who volleyed in from 12 yards.

Didcot Tn: Bedwell, Barder, Tanner (Joyce 69), Organ, Cattell, Learoyd, Baines, McNish, Jeacock (B Whitehead HT), Reid, Thomas (Ballard 59). Sub not used: H Whitehead.

Attendance: 119.

Kidlington’s good run ended when they lost 3-0 away to Egham Town in Division 1 Central.

The Surrey side’s goals came from Brendan Matthew, Reece Yorke and Bajram Pashaj’s late penalty.