A JUBILANT Mike Ford saluted his players after leading Banbury United side to promotion to the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

A crowd of 1,228 – the biggest at the Spencer Stadium since 1994 – turned out to see the Puritans triumph 2-0 at home to Taunton Town in the Division 1 South & West play-off final.

And the Banbury boss believes it is an achievement to be savoured.

“It means a lot to all of us,” said Ford.

“I said to the players on the pitch that promotions don’t come around very often and when they do it should be cherished and enjoyed.”

Zac McEachran opened the scoring in the 24th minute, firing home from Felipe Barcelos’s cut-back.

Taunton piled on the pressure after the break, but Banbury held on and made the game safe 11 minutes from time, when skipper Andy Gunn flicked in Darius Browne’s free-kick.

After exceeding expectations to win promotion, Banbury’s manager says he will not sacrifice their attractive style of play in an attempt to survive at a higher level.

He said: “I was told on the opening day of the season after we’d been beaten by Swindon (Supermarine) that you cannot play football in this division.

“We’ve probably won about 30 games since then. If you’ve got the right players, of course you can.”

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.e then. If you’ve got the right players of course you can.”