TWO stunning strikes helped Hereford FC keep the pressure at the top of the Southern League Premier Division by comfortably seeing off 10th-placed Banbury United 3-0.

John Mills also scored a penalty with the win meaning they will go top of the table if they win at King's Lynn Town on Tuesday.

Hereford, who welcomed back three first-choice players after the flu bug which swept through the camp last week began to recede, took the lead in the 12th minute.

A corner was only partially cleared to Jamie Bird 30 yards out and the former Cardiff City midfielder let fly with a superb drive which flew into the net.

Banbury were well organised without creating many openings with the best a shot on the turn from Ricky Johnson which was easily saved by Martin Horsell.

But third-placed Hereford extended their lead in the 67th minute.

Cameron Pring raced onto a fine pass from substitute Eliot Richards and was fouled by Conor McDonagh.

Mills made no mistake from the spot to score his 22nd league goal of the season.

Richards was again the provider for the third 11 minutes later, setting up Keyon Reffell to fire home.

Hereford: Horsell, Oates, Pring, Murphy, Green, Liburd, Reffell, Bird (Richards 66), Mills (Symons 79), Haysham, Smith (Preen 87). Subs not used: Deaman, Puddy.

Attendance: 2,932.

Meanwhile, mid-table Redditch United lost 1-0 at Frome Town to an injury-time winner from George Miller.