SECOND-HALF goals from Conor McDonagh, Leam Howards and Jefferson Louis earned Banbury United a convincing 3-0 home win over Royston Town in the Evo-Stik South League.

The Puritans were clinical in front of goal as Mike Ford’s men moved up to eighth in the Premier Division.

Royston were left to rue chances of their own, but McDonagh missed a first-half penalty for the hosts.

However, the striker made amends after the break, before Howards and substitute Louis fired Banbury to back-to-back league victories for the first time since October.

The Puritans started well, with Howards and McDonagh firing wide.

The hosts continued to dictate play, but the visitors could have opened the scoring on 16 minutes when Josh Oyinsan failed to hit the target.

Royston went even closer ten minutes later as James Potton took advantage of a Banbury error to feed Oyinsan, whose shot thundered against the crossbar.

The ball then fell to Scott Bridges to cross back into the penalty area, where Oyinsan headed wide.

Banbury, though, should have taken the lead on 36 minutes.

Howards was brought down in the area by goalkeeper Josh Tibbetts, but the Royston stopper made amends by keeping out McDonagh’s spot-kick.

The visitors, lifted by the penalty save, ended the half on top and Banbury goalkeeper Jack Harding was forced to push a Gus Scott-Morriss effort round a post.

Ford’s side created an opening just after the break, but McDonagh’s cross just eluded Howards.

However, they did take the lead on 54 minutes as Jordy Ngathe’s dangerous ball into the Royston box fell to McDonagh, who fired low into the bottom corner.

The visitors responded well, creating a number of chances.

James Potton shot tamely at Harding after good work from Scott-Morriss, before the former fired a second opportunity wide.

Banbury thought they had made it 2-0 on the hour mark, but Tom Winters saw his header cleared off the line by Ed Asafu-Adjay.

The resulting corner was then nodded towards goal by Ricky Johnson, only for Lee Chappell to be in the right place at the right time to clear.

Banbury’s all-important goal did arrive on 63 minutes, though, as Elliot Sandy’s shot, which was on target, was headed in by Howards from six yards.

Royston continued to cause problems, but Josh Castielione and Adam Marriott wasted chances.

United then had the last word as Louis outjumped goalkeeper Tibbetts to head home Ngathe’s high cross on 87 minutes.

Banbury Utd: Harding, Ngathe, Hawtin, Nash, Johnson, Carnell, Pond, Sandy (Louis 85), Howards (Humphreys 73), McDonagh, Winters (Peake-Pijnen 90).

Attendance: 265.