Abingdon went down to their first defeat in four Ryman Division 3 as Aveley clinched promotion with a 2-1 victory at Culham Road on Saturday.

Another ill-tempered affair, which was not helped by some bizarre refereeing decisions, culminating in a late disallowed goal for Town.

The first half was low key and there little action of note until the visitors took the lead in the 28th minute through Luke Bauckham from a free kick.

Town went close in the 36th minute when John McMahon set up Roger Charles, who shot wide.

After the break, Town were frustrated by the visitors' well-marshalled defence, forcing Mark Scanes and McMahon to chase and harry for long periods.

However, they found a way through for the equaliser when Chris Potter's cross was well controlled by Anthony Burden and his lay-off was fired home by Charles.

Just as Town were beginning to get on top, they conceded a killer second goal. Defender Luke Beauchamp was on the edge of the pitch receiving treatment when Matt Harrold received the ball from a throw and cut in to score.

If Abingdon felt aggrieved by that, they were positively fuming minutes later when a Potter corner was dropped by Aveley keeper Smith over the line, but the referee disallowed the goal for pushing.

Town bounced back and McMahon had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 88th minute but saw his shot saved.

In the last seconds of stoppage time, Town forced a succession of corners and Tregurtha went close with two headers, but it was not to be for Town.

Abingdon: Searl, Thomas, Potter, Beauchamp, Smith, Tregurtha, Didcock, Charles, McMahon, Burden (Creer), Scanes.