RICKY Johnson hit a first-half hat-trick as Banbury United secured a 3-1 victory over Mangotsfield United in Division 1 South & West.

Saturday's victory stretches their unbeaten league run to nine games.

Banbury took the lead on 19 minutes when Johnson converted Leam Howards’s cross.

And Johnson scored his second, slotting home on 41 minutes.

There was still time for the striker to grab his third before the break, smashing home Darius Browne’s cut back.

The visitors pulled a goal back on 53 minutes through Ryan Batten and went close to a second when Ben Brooks hit a post.

The Puritans were relatively comfortable until stoppage time when Lewis Hogg's free-kick hit the woodwork.

Banbury United: Harding, White, Steedman, Martin, Wise, Gunn, McEachran, Nash, Johnson, Howards (Joyce 76), Browne (Kalakoutis 85). Subs not used: Cox, Partner, Blackstock.

Wantage Town suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to high-flying Cinderford Town.

Wantage keeper Eddie Cavanagh denied Lee Smith early on, while Joe Parker also went close for the visitors in a goalless half.

After the break, the visitors started brightly and took the lead when Parker calmly slotted home on 51 minutes.

Wantage pushed for an equaliser and only a last ditch tackle from Josh Nelmes denied Ben Whitehead.

The hosts continued to push for a way back into the match, but Parker put the match to bed in the 93rd minute, calmly stroking home to seal victory.

Wantage Tn: Cavanagh, Ferris, Barder, Cattell, Carbon, Glover (Jones 47), Wrona, Clarke (Johns HT), Collier, Whitehead, Thorne (Butler 70). Subs not used: Smith, Lee.