Tunnell holds nerve with double penalty strike for Uxbridge

British Gas Business Southern Football League DIVISION ONE SOUTH AND WEST Abingdon United 1 Uxbridge 2

Lee Tunnell's brace of penalties earned Uxbridge the spoils from their game at Abingdon United after both sides spurned countless opportunities.

The Reds striker kept his nerve as the visitors came from behind and leave United rueing a contender for the miss of season that would have put them 2-0 up at half-time.

Instead Abingdon finished the game with 10 men although even then they had a late chance to claim a point as both sides showed just why they are doing no better than mid-table.

Abingdon skipper Micheas Herbert set the tone with an early miss and Billy Beechers followed his lead before David Warner rounded keeper Sam Warrell only to see his weak finish cleared off the line.

Beechers was only just wide with a sweet shot and as play went from end to end Warrell twice denied Tunnell before Abingdon opened the scoring.

A 33rd minute corner caused panic at the near post and Herbert converted the loose ball.

Abingdon's Anaclet Odhiambo then spooned over an open goal when it looked like he could not possibly miss and the half ended with Reds keeper Gary Ross doing brilliantly to tip over Herbert's header.

Uxbridge nearly equalised moments into the second half through a Wayne Carter header but they continued to be carved open and a long ball had the visiting defence appealing for offside while Luke Holden went clear, but Ross came to the rescue.

After David Warner wasted another opening Uxbridge finally levelled when Tunnell was upended by Richard Pierson and he picked himself up to score from 12 yards.

Tunnell then struck the post and nine minutes after converting his first penalty he was back on the spot, this time after Danny Tilbury put David Warner through and he was crudely brought down by Warrell, who was sent off.

This time Tunnell beat Beechers, who donned the gloves for the final 24 minutes, with the last action of the game being when Holden fittingly blasted over the bar as the 10 men missed out on a point.

UXBRIDGE: Ross, Robinson, Bicknell, Wharton, Baptiste, Carter, Lawrence (Owens 80), K Warner, Tunnell, D Warner, Thomas (Tilbury 62). Subs not used: Davies, Brown, Tarr.

Goals, Abingdon: Herbert 33. Uxbridge: Tun-nell 67, 76 (both pens). Attendance: 90.