Abingdon Utd 3, Taunton Tn 1 ABINGDON United continued to prove the doubters wrong as they inflicted the first league defeat this season on Division 1 South & West leaders Taunton at Northcourt Road on Saturday.

o Boosted by the signing of former Wycombe Wanderers ace Jermaine McSporran, Abingdon, whom many thought they would be prime relegation candidates, survived an uncertain start to record a notable victory.

From the kick-off, Taunton's Matt Prosser carved through the centre and unleashed a 25 yard thunderbolt that whistled a foot over the bar.

Then Ben Willshire's low drive bounced wickedly over keeper Simon Tricker's oustretched arm, but went just outside the far post.

Tricker also saved well from Prosser as Taunton pressed.

Then, against the run of play, Abingdon took the lead in the 39th minute.

Taunton keeper Ian Jones failed to come for a free-kicke and the ball dropped for Micheas Herbert to send it high into the net from close range.

The visitors surged forward and Sonyo Da Mata went close.

The second half was only four minutes old when Jemaine Ferreira used his pace to turn two defenders inside out and drew the keeper before passing to the the waiting Anaclet Odhiambo who made no mistake from four yards.

The ubiquitous Julian McCalmon shot straight at the keeper, while McSporran, on his debut, showed touches of real class.

The game was effectively over on the hour mark, when Odhiambo chased a long ball out of defence.

He touched sideways to Herbert who dispatched the ball into the far bottom corner from the edge of the area to make it 3-0.

Luke Holden came on for Odhiambo and had two chances late on, but did not hit the target with either.

Herbert was put clear with only the keeper to beat and a hat-trick seemed on the cards. But he hurried his shot and and the ball sailed harmlessly over .

With 20 seconds left, a Taunton player went down in a scramble for the ball in the area and referee Alf Field awared a spot-kick Dan Boere struck it to Tricker's right and although the keeper guessed right, he couldn't get a hand on it.

Abingdon Utd: Tricker, Moss, Organ, Ballard, Davis, McCalmon, Herbert, McSporran, Ferreira, Odhiambo (Holden, 80), Simms. Subs not used: Heyday, Peirson, Woodley.

Attendance: 210.