BANBURY United returned to the top of Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West with a 2-0 win at Wantage Town.

Charlie Wise broke the deadlock early in the second half, just moments after Wantage keeper Eddie Cavanagh had saved Mark Bell’s penalty.

Substitute Felipe Barcelos made certain of the points with a second goal 16 minutes from time.

With Didcot Town and North Leigh's matches postponed due to waterlogged pitches, it was a frustrating first half for promotion hopefuls Banbury, who were unable to find a way past a determined Wantage defence.

Their best chance fell to captain Ricky Johnson in the tenth minute, who saw his low effort tipped away by keeper Cavanagh.

The hosts defended gallantly to keep United out, with the bobbly pitch at Alfredian Park hampering both sides.

Bell’s free-kick in the 25th minute caused a scramble in the area after Cavanagh was unable to hold it, but Ryan Elliott hacked it clear.

James Glover then cleared Darius Browne’s effort off the line.

However, arguably the best chance of the opening half went the way of the home side as Sam Collier found himself clean through, but blazed high and wide.

Banbury finally made the breakthrough in a manic few minutes at the start of the second half.

First Cavanagh brilliantly kept out Bell’s spot-kick after the winger had been tripped in the area.

But that was just a momentary reprieve as Wise nodded the resulting corner goalwards and although it was cleared, referee Simon Shaw adjudged it to have crossed the line.

Barcelos made it 2-0 on 74 minutes, racing away onto a long goal kick before flicking the ball over Cavanagh.

Collier and Mark Francis went close to pulling one back late on, but their efforts were in vain as Wantage slipped to a fourth defeat in five games.

Wantage: Cavanagh, Elliott, McNeil, Doyle (Francis 80), Evans, Glover, Barder, Wrona, Johns (Francis 63), Collier, Kalakoutis (Hulbert-Thomas 83). Subs not used: Carbon, Oakley.

Banbury: Harding, White, Welch-Hayes, Stanbridge (Howards 77), Wise, Westbrook, McEachran, Nash, Johnson, Browne (Barcelos 57), Bell. Subs not used: Blackstock, McCarthy, Hopkins.