A missed penalty and a linesman’s mistake cost Abingdon United victory at high-flying Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West club Cirencester Town, who won 3-2.

In a game badly affected by the wind, Cirencester took the lead in the 24th minute. Former Abingdon striker Sam Collier got enough of a connection to volley the ball into the ground, and it bounced over Abingdon keeper Rob Durrant and into the far side of the net. Abingdon equalised when Toby Nowell’s inch-perfect pass saw Carl Self run in and slot the ball wide of home keeper LeeClatworthy.

Abingdon should have taken the lead in the 70th minute, when awarded a penalty after Aaron Woodley had been clattered by Clatworthy.

But the keeper made amends by blocking skipper Luke Carnell’s spot-kick.

Then with ten minutes left, a crossfield pass out to the left found the Cirencester winger about three yards offside.

But the linesman’s flag stayed down and a square pass inside to Scott Griffin set up an easy winning goal, to make him the second ex-Abingdon player to score against them in the game.

Abingdon Utd: Durrant, Halliday, Crudup, Carnell, Baker, Tucker (Evans), Nowell, (Melledew 81), Woodley, Self, Biddle, Whitehead (Young 65). Subs not used: Riccio, Foster Attendance: 135.