Oxford United held off the challenge of plucky Banbury United as they lifted the Oxfordshire Senior Cup at the Kassam Stadium last night.

United, who fielded a mixture of senior professionals and youngsters, dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead on 22 minutes when Eddie Hutchinson headed Matt Day’s excellent cross past Joe Murrell in the Banbury goal.

Banbury, who are fighting to avoid relegation from the Southern League Premier Division, got in some good positions, but lacked a killer touch, though only a brilliant tackle from Day prevented George Redknap from equalising after the ball broke to him in the area.

After the break, United were indebted to keeper Ben Hinchliffe who made a brilliant save on 59 minutes to tip away Jon Gardner’s deflected drive as it headed for the top corner.

United should have got a second when Matt Taylor, who played on loan at Banbury earlier this season, broke through, only to fire his shot straight at Murrell.

Barry Quinn, who was playing only his second game since his comeback from injury, almost doubled United’s lead when he headed a cross from the excellent James Dobson over.

On 87 minutes, Declan Benjamin’s cool finish gave United a 2-0 lead and it looked all over for Banbury, only for Ollie Stanbridge to claw one back with a terrific finish.

But United held on to lift the cup.

The only minus point for United was a hamstring injury suffered by their on-loan Huddersfield defender Shane Killock, which could rule him out of contention for the U’s against Northwich on Sunday.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Stringfellow, Stanbridge, Buckwell, Bennett, Redknap (Sambrook 90), Bridges (Peppiatt 88), Haisley, Stone, Gordon (Bryan 82), Gardner.

Oxford Utd: Hinchliffe, Groves, Martin, Quinn, Day, Killock (Smith 33), Bowerman (Hodgkins 62), Benjamin, Taylor, Hutchinson, Dobson (Likita 90). Sub not used: Foster.

Attendance: 721.

l BANBURY United will have to win their final game of the season away at champions-elect Corby to stay in the Premier Division after last night’s results went against them.