GOALS from Luke Carnell and Conor McDonagh secured Banbury United a 2-1 win at home to Cirencester Town to keep alive their outside chances of making the Premier Division play-offs.

With Marvin Martin replacing the injured George Nash in the only change to their side, Banbury went ahead courtesy a scrappy goal in the 19th minute.

A Tom Winters corner from the right bounced off defender Ellis Dunton into the path of Carnell.

His shot deflected off keeper Conor Thompson and went into the top corner of the net.

Cirencester’s best chance fell to Kerry Morgan, whose shot went just inches wide.

At the other end, Manny Duku fired over the bar from a narrow angle.

In the second half, Banbury keeper Jack Harding denied Morgan and Alan Griffin with fine saves.

So it was rather against the run of play in the second half when substitute McDonagh made it 2-0 in the 57th minute, running on to Jack Self’s though ball and firing home from the edge of the penalty area.

Two minutes later, Self saw his shot hit the far post.

Cirencester pulled a goal back through Dan Demkiv in the 77th minute, but Banbury held on.

There was a place on the home bench for Romanian new signing Adrian Boitos.

Banbury Utd: Harding, Odhiambo, Bradbury, Martin,Westbrook, Carnell, McEachran, Self, Johnson, Duku (McDonagh HT), Winters (White 83). Subs not used: Browne, Bell, Boitos.

Attendance: 374.