Kai Tonge scores twice as Stamford AFC beat against Banbury United in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Kai Tonge struck a goal-den double as Stamford moved back into the play-off places with a 2-0 victory over Banbury United on Saturday.

The Daniels had dropped out of the top five in the Southern League Premier Division Central following Harborough Town's win over Redditch United on Good Friday.

But, within 24 hours, Stamford had regained their play-off spot as Tonge's second half double defeated the Puritans at the Zeeco Stadium.

There were two changes to the Stamford starting line-up following last week's draw at play-off rivals Stratford Town with Billy Bennett and Kai Tonge replacing the suspended duo of Connor Bartle and Jack Duffy.

Banbury arrived at the Zeeco Stadium with the best defensive record in the division and had won the reverse fixture courtesy of a late goal securing a 1-0 win.

It was probably to be expected that a game between two sides with such strong defences this season would offer little in the way of clear cut chances.

And that was the way in which the first half panned out with neither side creating a serious opening as defences dominated.

Set pieces looked like offering the best route through for both sides with the deliveries of Stamford's Billy Bennett and Alex Prosser of Banbury posing a few problems.

Home defender Jordon Cooke did well to head clear under pressure from Yaw Nantwi-Ofosu following a free-kick crossed into the Stamford penalty area by Prosser.

Banbury goalkeeper Jack Harding was forced to collect a Bennett delivery at the second attempt before George Hobbins connected well with a loose ball only to see his shot blocked by Gedeon Okito.

James Blunden headed wide from another Stamford set piece before Bennett had the best effort of the opening half with a first-time strike that forced Harding into a smart save to ensure the first half ended goalless.

Home custodian Tom Jackson was called into action early in the second half to finger-tip a shot from Connor Stanley to safety after a strong run from the Banbury attacker.

But, from the resultant corner, Stamford found the breakthrough in the 51st minute as they launched a rapid raid which released Tonge who converted from the rebound after his initial shot had been saved by Harding.

The game then reverted to the more familiar pattern of the first half with Blunden being crowded out as he went close from a set piece.

Substitute Tobias Liversidge had an effort ruled out for offside after slotting home Tonge's through ball before Stamford doubled their lead in the 76th minute.

Elliott Durrell - on for Joao Varela - picked out Tonge with a low cross and, although his initial effort was superbly saved by Harding, he again turned home the rebound.

The goal brace means Stamford have lost just once in their last eight league games while their clean sheet was the fifth in that sequence of games.

Stamford: Jackson, Isaacson (Marzano), Bennett (Njie), Offler, Cooke, Blunden, Chitiza, Hobbins, Tonge, Shaw (Liversidge), Varela (Durrell). Sub not used: Challinor. Attendance: 577.