ASCOT United won 4-2 at Abingdon United on Tuesday to go top of the Hellenic League Premier Division.

The Yellamen’s clinical display over the first 80 minutes earned them a well-deserved 4-0 advantage, but were contemplating chewed nails as the hosts’ late rally threatened an unlikely comeback.

Despite their precarious position just above the bottom three, Abingdon United boasted better recent form having won their last three matches, compared with Ascot’s one win in five.

The first half was an entertaining albeit feisty affair which Ascot dominated, and they would deservedly lead 2-0 at the interval.

Ben Hodges’ skill paved the way for an early Jean-Claude Etienne effort which was blocked – itself as a result of Dan Price’s effort being blocked – but Price would give his side a 15th-minute lead with a direct free-kick which took two faint deflections on its way through the arms and feet of home ‘keeper Jake Pritchard.

Sam Gray’s goal-kick for Ascot then took his side from one end of the field to the other in less than 10 seconds – Harry Laflin flicking on for Price to cross – although Etienne’s shot on the turn was saved.

Abingdon’s best chance came from Nathan Baker just before the half-hour mark when the striker swept a low shot past Gray after Kyle Moss had picked him out, but George Lock was well placed to clear off the goal-line.

However, once Ascot top scorer Nathan Minhas’ legs had been taken away from him in the penalty area after dragging the ball away from his marker, the visitors had the chance to double their advantage, which they duly did when Laflin rolled the subsequent spot-kick in off the right-hand post.

Abingdon defender Joe Green then escaped with a yellow card for hauling down Minhas who would have been clean through, although the decision fuelled both sides as the hosts were themselves aggrieved that Minhas hadn’t seen red for what appeared nothing more than an earlier trip.

Minhas might have made it 3-0 five minutes before the break, but Pritchard stood up well to deny him.

The visitors did, however, add a third within two minutes of the restart after a pulsating opening that saw them go close on a number of occasions. However, it was ultimately Laflin’s low shot through a crowded penalty area that did the damage, and at that point his side looked eager for more.

It should have been 4-0 when Price failed to find the top left after a fine flowing move – Etienne had picked out Minhas who picked out Price in full flow – but it was man-of-the match Lock who scored an exquisite fourth with fifteen minutes remaining. This time, Dom Sullivan picked out Lock, and after he had played a one-two with Minhas as the ‘keeper was drawn out of his area, Lock finished first time into the roof of the net with all the composure of a seasoned striker.

With Ascot’s feet suddenly taken off the gas, Wharton’s header squirmed over Gray for what appeared a mere 79th minute consolation, but when Jason Smith swept home on 85 minutes to further cut the deficit, the nerves started jangling.

Gray had made a smart save to deny substitute Ryan Jackson between those efforts, and Jackson missed a fine chance in injury time to set up a grandstand finale, but the visitors had done enough to reach the summit.