ABINGDON United will have to do it all over again after British Gas Business Southern League chiefs ordered them to replay their Division 1 South & West match against Swindon Supermarine.

In the original game, on November 11, goals from Jermaine McSporran, Nathan Woodley and sub Anaclet Odhiambo had put Abingdon into a 3-0 lead, only for the floodlights at Northcourt Road to fail in the final minute, forcing referee Tim Ingram to abandon the game.

Abingdon had had hoped that the league would allow the result to stand.

But, at a committee meeting at the league's head- quarters, officials decided to make the sides replay the game at a later date.

The league added that cup rules would apply, meaning that anyone signed after the original game cannot appear in the replay.

Abingdon secretary John Blackmore was told the news yesterday by his opposite number at the Southern League, Dennis Strudwick.

A statement from Abingdon said: "The club are disappointed with the decision and are awaiting the full report before considering our options."

Blackmore added that the whole club were shocked by the decision.

"It's not the fact that it has to be replayed, but we are talking about the 90th minute when we were leading 3-0," he said.

"There is no way Swindon could have scored three goals in a minute. But FA rules say that every game has to last 90 minutes.

"We could appeal to the FA, but we're waiting for the letter to arrive before saying anything else."

Blackmore added: "Even our league rivals Oxford City and Didcot Town had expressed their support for Abingdon's case for the result to stand."

ABINGDON Town suffered extensive damage to their floodlight starter and wiring when one of the pylons burst into flames during an inter-club match on Thursday.

As a result the kick-off times for the home games against Ardley United next Saturday and Milton United on New Year's Day have been brought forward to 2pm.