ASCOT United picked up another useful point in their battle against Hellenic League Premier Division relegation as they secured a 1-1 draw against Abingdon United at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday.

Abingdon had enjoyed a decent spell of league form entering the match, having taken 11 points from a possible 18 and holding both Highworth and Flackwell Heath to draws.

Ascot, meanwhile, had been inconsistent having both scored and leaked up to four goals in a frustrating December, but one which had at least boosted their own survival hopes.

Facing up to life without striker Ben Harris, an end end-of-year transfer to Slough Town after netting seven goals in seven matches for Ascot, the Yellamen turned to Barry Dunbar, who made his starting debut.

And just as Harris had scored 10 minutes into his debut for Slough on New Year’s Day, Dunbar opened the scoring 10 minutes after his own curtain call.

The move leading up to the goal itself was excellent. Trevor Mutero did superbly well to win possession in his own half, and after releasing George Lock, the defender galloped forward and struck an accurate cross that Dunbar controlled and slotted under Ed Cavanagh.

Abingdon were, however, good value leading up to their equaliser just before half time. Graham Edney saw a rising effort parried over by Lee Allen and Cian McCormack saw a weak header spilt by Allen before Conor Ingram’s follow-up was blocked.

But it was Callum Harvey’s stinging effort on 35 minutes which brought the best out of Allen, who tipped the shot away.

Either side of that last effort Ascot had lost playmakers Samir Regragui and Mutero to injury, before a thrilling end to the half.

First, Harvey brilliantly chipped Allen for Abingdon’s 40th-minute equaliser after John Addis had played him in, before Ross Seldon’s left-footed shot for Ascot from outside the area struck the inside of the left-hand post and flew across Cavanagh’s six-yard box.

There was still time for Sam Wharton to blaze over at the far post for Abingdon and Dunbar to glance a header wide for Ascot, but it remained level at the break.

The second half was 10 minutes old when Cavanagh produced his best save of the game to deny Mo Davies’ shot at full stretch, but it was Ryan Cooper’s brilliantly timed tackle at the other end moments later which denied tricky substitute Dejon Noel-Williams a scoring chance.

Harvey then rattled the crossbar for Abingdon and Noel-Williams saw a shot fizz narrowly wide, but Allen thwarted substitute Jack Dell as time ran out when he stood up well to deny the clean-through Abingdon man after Wharton had turned provider.

Ascot almost had the last laugh only for Dunbar’s effort to be chalked off by the linesman in added time, and with matches running out for Ascot – eight of their remaining eleven matches coming on the road – it remains to be seen how valuable this point will be.

Ascot United – who sit 15th in the table but having played more games than most of their relegation rivals – visit Wantage Town on Saturday (3pm).