A controversial defeat for southpaw Peter Bucta marred a night of solid achievement by Oxfordshire fighters in the ABA Senior Novice Championships quarter-finals at Watford.

Buchta looked dumbfounded after failing to get the decision over Ferry Street rival Michael McDonnell.

The Wolvercote heavyweight had dominated the encounter and rattled the Essex man with a solid left that resulted in a standing count towards the end of the second round.

McDonnell could not believe his luck when his arm was raised after he had gained the most benevolent of split decisions.

Home Counties ABA secretary Peter Garnish said: "That was one of the worst decisions I've seen in the ring, during a lifetime involved with the sport."

The result left a very sour taste in the Wolvercote camp and featherweight Nicky Miles, who was already through to the semi-finals, has withdrawn from the competition.

Chief coach Faz Keyani added: "A decision like that not only has an impact on the boxer who was robbed of victory, it affects the morale of the entire gym."

Sunningwell's Stuart Pownceby won through to the last four after a points win over Rayleigh's Luke Homer.

Pownceby imposed his authority from the bell and emerge a clear victor in his Class A (less than ten bouts) welterweight encounter.

Thame bantamweight George Buckland, 27, also booked his place in the semis at Nottingham this Saturday by halting Canvey Island southpaw Danny Cole in the final round.

Buckland is joined in the last four of the Class B (less than 20 bouts) category by Abingdon light-welterweight James Whitman, 24, who gained a split decision over Norfolk rival Andy Bliss.

Wolvercote middleweight Simon Sutherland saw his title aspirations draw to an end after losing on points to Cambridge University rival Olly Bowles.