Offered a draw and an England victory over Australia before the game, Mill Hill would probably have taken it. But the manner in which they managed to snatch a draw not just from the jaws but deep within the small intestine of victory inevitably left a somewhat bitter taste in the mouth.

Abingdon have always been a useful side and that, combined with the fatiguing effect of a one-and-a-half hour early morning journey from North London, traditionally makes them difficult to beat.

Having not only managed to secure 11 players, but an umpire as well, Captain Pete must have been well pleased with his pre-match preparations. And it wasn't long before his side took the lead, Ryan Schlanders flicking them ahead from a neat short corner.

Onn after Abingdon were back on level terms, however, converting a short corner of their own. Mark Scut will be frustrated that after making the initial save, one of his own defenders pushed the ball beyond him to set up a simple tap in.

Mill Hill didn't let their heads go down (not yet anyway) and another short corner was quickly tucked away, Craig McIntyre this time taking the credit.

Although Abingdon levelled again, Mill Hill managed to take a 3-2 lead into the break. Showing the kind of unimaginative reliability which is undoubtedly reflected in the clubs post-match chile con carne, Schlanders was teed up from another short to flick home.

Following an inspirational "Come on lads!" from Pete during the break (or was it simply the chance of a brief rest) Mill Hill came out with renewed vigour. Schlanders again flicked goalwards and only the hand, then head of a defender kept out the shot. The resulting penalty flick was tucked efficiently away by the club's top goalscorer.

Then came Mill Hill's finest goal of the match. Dan Stockill took the ball in the D, produced not one, but four, outstanding airshots that completely bamboozled the keeper and his own team mates, before pushing the ball over the line. The surreal, Keystone cops nature of the goal prompted Captain Pete to comment: "I expected one of the defenders to start chucking custard pies."

Comedy quickly turned to tragedy, however. Abindgon hit back after Mill Hill failed to clear an attack, then pierced the defence with a clever through ball to create a simple one-on-one for the left wing to convert. Incredibly they then found a fifth.

The game wasn't quite over, though. In the dying seconds, Mill Hill won a short corner. The umpire blew for time, indicating that the set play would be the last action of the game and allowing the Mill Hill defence to step up and join the attack. That proved unfortunate as Schlanders swept the ball across goal for McIntyre to pounce, only to find one of his own defenders getting in the way and allowing Abingdon to clear.

The home team were obviously delighted, the visitors dismayed. But not quite as dismayed as the Australian front row.