REFEREE Graham Train sensationally abandoned the all-Division 3 clash between Otterbourne and Fleetlands DURING the nail-biting penalty shoot-out of their highly-charged Hampshire Intermediate Cup quarter-final clash at Oakwood Park.

The controversy erupted when Otterbourne's two-goal hero Jamie Nash saw his sudden death penalty kick saved by the Fleetlands keeper only for referee Train to order a re-take after ruling that the keeper had moved off his goalline.

The Winklebury official was immediately surrounded by furious Fleetlands players and officials, including their manager Kenny Evans, and Fleetlands captain Jocky Clarke, who had been sent off along with Otters' Gareth Mead midway through the second half.

Train blew his whistle with the two teams deadlocked at 4-4 on penalties at the sudden death stage of the shoot-out after 120 minutes had failed to separate them at 3-3.

The Hampshire FA will now await the referee's report before the cup committee rules on whether the tie gets replayed or not.

Otterbourne secretary Robin Broom, who spoke with Train after the game, said: "He told me that he'd had enough and that he and his assistant had felt threatened by the foul and abusive language.

"He also said that the abandonment was nothing to do with our club although we'll have to wait and see what his report says but, whatever happens, it's a very unsatisfactory way for the game to end. I've never known anything like it."

Fleetlands secretary George Mason added: "I don't know why he's abandoned it. However the whole game was played in a tussle with the referee and it was silly to abandon it right at the death. I don't know what will happen now."

The SWL's top goalscorer Mark Peach had earlier given the visitors a 15th minute lead that was cancelled out on the half-hour mark by Nash.

Nash then put the home side ahead after 75 minutes but quick-fire replies from Dean Inman and Peach - his 41st goal of the season - looked to have given Fleetlands victory until Pete Kelly's late free-kick squared matters at 3-3.

Division 3 leaders Farnborough North End were given a real scare as they battled back from 2-0 down against Surrey Intermediate Premier Division side Yateley to triumph 3-2.