Didcot Town slipped to a damaging 3-1 defeat in yesterday's British Gas Business Southern League Division 1 South & West against Abingdon United at Loop Meadow Stadium.

Two goals in two second-half minutes from a clinical Abingdon side effectively killed a disappointing Didcot off and severely dented their title hopes.

Abingdon, who have now won four of their last five matches, started confidently against a Didcot side looking to get back to winning ways, with Luke Holden and the outstanding Billy Beechers, both going close.

Although Didcot passed the ball well, Abingdon looked dangerous on the break, and it was a swift counter-attack that led to the opener, Beechers firing past Michael Watkins after a superb Ryan Curtin free-kick caused panic in the Didcot area.

A minute later, though, Didcot levelled when Vinny Rusher cracked home Liam Hope's excellent cross after a mix-up between Julian McCalmon and keeper Lee Farrow.

Didcot turned up the pressure with McCalmon forced to head over his own bar.

Then former Abingdon striker Anaclet Odhiambo had a golden chance to give his side the lead only to fall over as he was about to shoot following a great through ball from the hard-working Jack King.

Abingdon's James Organ cleared Josh Mulvany's effort off the Abingdon line, before a superb last-ditch tackle from Dave Malloy denied Odhiambo as he prepared to shoot.

Abingdon's on-loan Oxford United midfielder Sam Deering, 16, was having a good full debut, and it was his brilliant pass that set up Beechers for a shot that was well-saved by Watkins.

Holden was involved in Abingdon's second a minute after the break, when he was fouled by defender Scott Davis, with Curtin slotting home the resulting penalty past Watkins.

Just over 60 seconds later, it was all over for Didcot when Daniel Meade netted past Watkins after more good work from Deering.

King, Odhiambo and Rusher missed great chances for Didcot, with Farrow denying substitutes Matt Bicknell and Richard Witt, as Abingdon got revenge for a 4-0 drubbing by Didcot earlier in the season.

These are worrying times for the Railwaymen, who have gone three games without a win.

Didcot Tn: Watkins, Heapy, Mulvany (Witt 56), Parrott, Davis, Jack, Hope (Bicknell 56), King, Rusher, Odhiambo (Vine 75), Powell. Subs not used: Howarth, Peirson.

Abingdon Utd: Farrow, Moss, Posey, Deering, Organ, McCalmon, Malloy, Meade (Herbert 79), Holden (R Brooks 84), Beechers, Curtin. Subs not used: Mills, Druce.

Attendance: 307.

Our picture shows Abingdon United's Luke Holden (right) heading for goal during their 3-1 win at Didcot Town on Monday.