Abingdon Town held promotion hopefuls Flackwell Heath to a hard-fought draw in Ryman Division 3 on Saturday, but will be rueing throwing away an early 2-0 lead.

Darren Watts anticipated hesitation in the home defence and volleyed Town ahead after just four minutes.

And the lead was doubled after 15 minutes when the pace of John Gardner proved too much for the visitors' defence and when he was brought down in the box, Corin Paterson coolly converted to the penalty.

Things nearly got even better for managerless Town when Paterson created a chance from nothing and forced a tremendous save by keeper Jackson.

However, from almost securing their third goal, Town then found themselves on the wrong end of the second penalty decision of the afternoon when keeper Jonathan Beames was adjudged to have brought down Flackwell's Charles just inside the box.

Despite Beames's effort, home skipper Bartlett reduced the arrears.

Town continued to attack after the break with Paterson again going close, but at the other end, Beames had to be alert to cut out a dangerous cross from the impressive Jamie Charles.

Jon Blencowe, having already headed off his line once, was forced into another goalline clearance following a set piece which Abingdon struggled to defend aerially.

But in the 67th minute, the home side scored a sweet equaliser when central defender Wojtowicz volleyed home from 12 yards giving Beames no chance.

Abingdon thought they had snatched all three points when, following a goalmouth scramble, the ball appeared to have crossed the line, but was not deemed to have done so by the referee.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Watson's 89th-minute cross-shot hit the inside of Town's post and rebounded to Luke Beauchamp to hook to safety in a frenetic finish.

Abingdon Tn: Beames, Thomas, Burden, Beauchamp, Price, Blencowe, Twine (Cleevely), Gardner (Douglas), Morgan (Gill) Watts, Paterson.