Alex Pike's men were hoping to make ground on teams above them by taking all three points at Privett Park.

Borough's FA Cup run has greatly interfered with their league programme to the point that they sit in mid-table having played three matches less than teams around them.

Chances of reducing that number could be postponed until after Christmas, particularly if success in their FA Cup tie in Dorchester next week extends their run even further.

Not helped by the strong wind and occasional sharp showers of rain, both sides nevertheless settled well.

However, Borough had to pull out all the stops in defence to thwart several dangerous moves the visitors put together.

On 15 minutes, Borough finally got into their stride with Jamie Ford unleashing a shot that raced inches wide of the post.

And 30 seconds later, another neat move caught Abingdon chasing shadows as David Birmingham's swirling cross was not dealt with and Andy Culliford accepted the gift presented to him by heading Borough into the lead.

Even while Borough were in the throes of celebrating, Abingdon broke from the re-start and Anaclet Odhiambo went clear only to blaze wide with Nick Hutchings to beat.

On the half-hour the hosts showed a large degree of wastefulness as Bennett went clear to toe-poke a shot wide when it looked easier to find the back of the net.

Bennett then lost out again, this time after finding himself one-on-one with Abingdon keeper Sam Warrell and losing control of the ball at the last moment.

But Borough's missed chances stood for nothing when on 40 minutes Tom McCormick kept his cool in the visitors' area to thump in a second after Bennett's flicked header landed at his feet.

Now Borough looked the finished article and Ford was the width of a post away from a third as he met a Bennett cross to flash a downward header against it.

On 50 minutes, Borough surprisingly left their back door open and Odhiambo found himself clean through with just Hutchings between him and the goal, only to see the young keeper turn his effort aside.

Hutchings then showed his worth in beating out a goal-bound free-kick from Abingdon midfielder Tom Austin – with Andy Puckett making sure the danger was cleared by hoofing the ball away into touch.

Back came Borough and a fine five-man move ended with Bennett crossing into the path of Culliford who, off balance, shot wide.

Then, on the hour, Abingdon found a way back into the match as their substitute Jim Deabill went down under a challenge in the Borough area and up stepped Mike Herbert to slam home the penalty.

Boosted by the goal Abingdon began to stage a concerted effort to get back into a game that on creativity and chances, should have been beyond them.

But with just 15 minutes remaining, Borough's defence were having none of it.

Pike's men put the shutters up to further frustrate the determined efforts of the North Berkshire A34-based outfit.

Lady luck even made a surprise visit and helped Borough out as Odhiambo's perfectly taken far post strike was ruled out for what seemed to be a highly-debatable offside decision.

Rather than push forward looking to finish Abingdon's hopes off, Borough chose to defend in numbers and duly paid the price as Holden got himself free to drill in an equaliser on 85 minutes.

With the drizzle now turning to heavy rain, Borough came storming back looking to repair the self-inflicted damage.

However, their efforts were all in vain – too little, too late – and the points were shared.