SWINDON Supermarine pegged back Highworth Town's lead at the top of the Premier section to just three points after beating Abingdon United 3-2.

It was not plain sailing however for the South Marston side who trailed 2-0 at the break and scored the winner in the last minute courtesy of Neil Matt-hews.

On a very wet and heavily sanded pitch, assistant manager Tony Garland was in charge of the side and he kept faith with the Supermarine line-up which had won their last league match some three weeks ago.

Former Swindon Town star Tom Jones, returning from injury, found himself on the substitutes bench.

Supermarine looked a bit rusty in the opening stages and the visitors took the early initiative with a direct approach which troubled Supermarine's back four.

Mick Casey did well to stop a series of Abingdon attacks early on but it was no surprise when the Oxfordshire side took a 17th minute lead.

Supermarine's keeper Chris Webb appeared to lose his footing as a shot from Lee Smith crept inside his far post.

Supermarine tried playing some neat passing football but the heavy conditions did not support that type of game and many attacks broke down as the final ball failed to find the home strikers.

In the 25th minute Abingdon added a second. James Smith cut in from the left wing and his cross shot eluded the stranded Webb to put the visitors two up within the opening half hour.

Supermarine were struggling to find any pattern and a series of promising attacks came to nothing as the midfield and strikers failed to combine to seriously threaten the visitors goal.

However towards the end of the first half the home side started to show signs that their efforts could be rewarded.

Richard Hadgkiss had a great opportunity to score in the 40th minute but his side foot shot drifted well over the Abingdon goal and just before half time Tait Hulbert hit a first time volley just wide.

The second half started with Supermarine pushing Michael Silvanus further forward to support Tait Hulbert and Neil Matthews.

The three strikers started to cause the Abingdon back line problems.

The pace of the home trio proved to be the turning point and in the 54th minute Hulbert, a recent signing from Oxford City, scored his first goal for Supermarine after great work down the right flank by Vinny Parker.

Supermarine sensed there was opportunity to score again as the visitors looked to hold on to their one goal advantage.

Silvanus went close in the 59th minute and Futcher also shot wide when in a good position.

It was all Supermarine as the home side piled on the pressure and chances fell to Hulbert and Tony Joyce before Hulbert finally headed home the equaliser in the 76th minute.

Abingdon were reduced to ten men when Wayne Herbert was sent off.

This inspired Supermarine still further and in the last ten minutes the home crowd saw one-way traffic bearing down on the visitors goal.

Hulbert had a great chance to notch his hat-trick in the 85th minute but a great diving save from Abingdon keeper Geoff Morton kept him out. In the 89th minute Supermarine got the winner their second half display deserved when Neil Matthews spun in the box after a shot by Hadgkiss had been pushed out by keeper Morton and he crashed home the rebound.