Substitute Leam Howards bagged a brace as Banbury United moved off the bottom of the Premier Division with their first win for six games at Spencer Stadium on Saturday.

The victory put them within five points of safety.

It was the introduction of Howards, who scored twice in three minutes that turned the game in the hosts’ favour.

Banbury started slowly and were lucky not to go behind early on when Christopher Marsh hit a post.

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The hosts recovered their composure and, on 22 minutes, Jordan Green broke onto a Adeyinka Talabi pass before seeing his shot saved by Charlie May in the Dunstable goal.

The visitors dominated after the break, with Gary Wharton and Marsh going close.

So it was against the run of play that Banbury went ahead on 75 minutes.

Green set up Howards who burst past his marker before shooting low past May.

Two minutes later, Howards doubled the lead with his second goal.

Hicham Abdella whipped in a cross which Howards headed into the top corner.

Although Tony Burnett pulled one back on 84 minutes, Banbury held on to seal their first double of the season following their victory at Dunstable last October.

Banbury Utd: Bedwell, Walcott, Martin, Westbrook, Tappin, Ryan, Green, Hartigan, Talabi (Howards 68), Isaac, Abdellah (Browne 89). Subs not used: Cray, D Martin, Lewars.

Attendance: 242