ABINGDON Town's half-time walkout at 8-0 down in the derby with Abingdon United yesterday came as a complete surprise to their opponents.

The visitors, who are four points adrift at the bottom of the division, failed to show for the second half of the Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 1 East game.

The club have since released a statement saying they are trying to find out what caused the walk out and have been contacted for further comment.

United secretary John Blackmore revealed the first they knew of the walkout was when their opponents started leaving.

He said: "We were sitting in the changing room when there was a bit of noise, which was them packing up their kit and walking away.

"We told them they had to tell the referee first, but they basically refused to play.

"It wasn't good for football.

"There was no aggro or anything like that, they just left the ground.

"They've apologised, but they've got to go away and sort themselves out."

He added: "They're obviously struggling and it's sad to see, but you don't conduct yourself in that manner."

Town's official account tweeted: "We apologise to everyone who turned up hoping to watch 90 minutes of football and we on the board agree this is embarrassing and not in the spirit of the game."

The clash attracted more than 150 spectators, roughly five times the average attendance at Northcourt Road.

United were 4-0 up inside a quarter of an hour, with Nathan Kimber hitting a hat-trick as the lead doubled by the break.

The hosts have been credited with an 8-0 win which puts them a point behind the leaders Risborough Rangers, but the Hellenic League will now have to decide if any action is taken against Town.

It is the second time in two years that a clash between the two sides has made headlines.

In March 2018, Town lost 17-0 in a game where they had just seven players left on the pitch by the final whistle.