Salisbury City 4 (Shephard 52, 57, Reid 60, Clarke 90 + 4)

Banbury Utd 1 (Farquharson 28)

Three second-half goals in eight minutes sent Banbury’s crashing to defeat at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium in the Premier Division on Saturday.

Salisbury looked anything but title favourites as Banbury dominated the opening 30 minutes, and Malachi Farquharson’s strike midway through the first half gave them a deserved lead.

The goal came following a headed clearance from Henry Rose in his own six-yard box.

Rose charged forward to collect ball and pass to David Stone on the right.

Stone delivered a perfect ball to Farquharson, who tapped into the net.

Banbury could have extended their lead seven minutes later when Stone set up Rose, but the young striker headed at keeper Tommy Smith.

Whatever was said by the Salisbury manager at half-time had an immediate impact as the home side levelled soon after the break.

Awarded a free-kick, on-loan Exeter City man Chris Shephard blasted home from 25 yards.

The same player doubled the lead five minutes later with a deflected shot from the edge of the area, and three minutes later, Salisbury went 3-1 up through Jake Reid.

Banbury were shell-shocked, but they resisted further damage until the fourth minute of stoppage time, when substitute Darren Clarke added Salisbury’s fourth goal.

Banbury Utd: Murrell, Stanbridge (Haisley 64), Maddox, Gordon, Learoyd, Farqharson, Coleman, Benjamin, Stone, Rose (Staff 64), Ashton (McDonald 71).

Attendance: 905.