SECOND half goals from David Stone and Ollie Stanbridge earned Banbury United three useful points against Merthyr Tydfil at Spencer Stadium.
United were made to work hard for their success against a Merthyr side who, despite being reduced to ten men in the second half, still posed problems when the game was in the balance. But they came through to pick up three more premier division point
s and move back up to sixth place in the Zamaretto League.
Boss Billy Jeffrey stuck with the same side which drew at Truro City but it was Merthyr who started the brighter. United gradually got into the contest but lacked the final ball in the last third with Stanbridge, Adam Learoyd and Jason Taylor all guilty of wasting promising opportunities.
The deadlock was broken in the 33rd minute when Taylor saw his close range effort from Jack Ashton's corner blocked but George Redknap buried the rebound. Redknap almost made it two in as many minutes when he headed over the near post from Joe Coleman's cross.
Merthyr finished the half on top and it took a smart save from Joe Murrell to deny the dangerous Marcus Griffiths, although the United keeper was then grateful to see Taylor head clear when he failed to deal with Paul Keddle's free-kick.
But it took just six minutes into the second half for Merthyr to draw level, Ceri Morgan sliding in at the far post to convert after Steve Williams' cross was headed on by Scott Armitage. Murrell kept out a near post header from Griffiths and then thwarted Williams as Merthyr threatened to take the lead.
But the United keeper was left helpless as Williams' 20 yard free-kick crashed back off the post in the 65th minute with Morgan putting the rebound wide.
The game swung United's way when Matthew Driscoll received a second caution and was given his marching orders moments after forcing Murrell into another decent save.
United regained the lead from an 81st minute penalty when substitute Nabil Shariff was tripped in the box and Stone sent Andrew Delve the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Stanbridge wrapped up the points in the 89th minute, superbly finishing after being set up by Declan Benjamin following a surging run from midfield.
UTD: Murrell, Cray, Learoyd, Martin, Coleman (Hilliard 82), Benjamin, Redknap (Haisley 62), Stanbridge, Ashton, Stone, Taylor (Shariff 62). Not used: Milner
Att: 281
