Rory Greenslade-Jones’ side went into the match knowing a victory would have taken them ahead of their hosts, but a disappointing last 10 minutes saw them throw away a 10-point advantage.

It was always going to be a tough task for Bracknell against the only side in the league to have beaten National Three South West leaders Redingensians Rams this season.

But having performed so well throughout, the Lily Hill Men self-destructed late on to let the hosts sneak the points.

Bracknell were quick to settle straight from kick-off and gave the home crowd little to cheer as they linked phase after phase inside the opposition 22.

It eventually came to nothing and the hosts cleared their lines before Bracknell camped themselves inside the Hornets half with constant recycling of the ball helping to keep them moving forward, The territory eventually paid dividends when Bracknell crossed in the corner, but George Owen failed to convert the extras and the visitors had to settle for a 5-0 lead.

Hornets then had possibly their best period of play, dominating at the scrum and a brave decision to turn down three points was rewarded.

Skipper Jermaine Jones elected for a scrum instead of a kick at goal and the Hornets pack pushed the visitors back over their own line with Matthew Parker touching down for the equalising try.

James Leatherby missed the conversion to ensure it stayed all square with 15 minutes played.

It was a tight game between two evenly matched outfits and several passages of superb attacking positions were thwarted by strong defences at either end.

The next try eventually came through an interception as Nico Maybury grabbed a loose pass from the home side to race away and touch down under the posts.

Owen kicked the extras but missed a penalty in front of the posts shortly after as Bracknell took a 12-5 lead into the break.

The second half started with Bracknell again in the ascendancy and the physicality increasing further.

Both captains were called in by the referee on more than one occasion in a bid to keep the game under control.

A rare home attack ensured Letherby was able to narrow the lead with a well taken drop goal to make it 12-8.

Bracknell kept their composure though and were given a boost when Hornets’ Phil Hogarth was sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.

Owen kicked the resulting penalty but Bracknell couldn’t take further advantage during the 10-minute spell and failed to kill the game off while they had a numerical advantage.

With just under 10 minutes remaining, Owen seemingly put the visitors on the verge of victory with another penalty to move Bracknell 10 points ahead at 18-8 up.

That should have been a big enough lead to see the game out, but a fumble from the restart allowed Parker to retrieve the ball and drive forward for Hornets.

He found Hogarth who shrugged off a couple of Bracknell challenges to dive under the posts for a vital try that gave Jones the easiest of tasks to add the extras.

It was suddenly a three point game and Hornets sensed victory. They retrieved the ball and with the clock ticking past 80 minutes, knew it was their last chance to seal victory.

The ball was moved wide and Bracknell thought a knock on signalled the end of the game, but the ref pulled play back for a penalty and Hornets had one final chance.

The hosts - roared on by a boisterous home crowd - charged forward and created an overlap to the left.

Jones was screaming for the ball wide but Robert Dempsey threw a dummy and broke the line to run through and touch down for Hornets to give them a victory that was very tough on Bracknell.

The extras were added by Jones and the visitors’ efforts were all in vein as the game was already over as soon as Dempsey touched down to condemn Bracknell to defeat.

Greenslade-Jones’ men picked up a losing bonus point but it was of little consolation as they were left wondering how they failed to see the game out.

Bracknell will look to bounce back when they host Newton Abbot this Saturday (2.15pm).

Bracknell RFC 2nds had their clash with Oxford Harlequins 2nds abandoned after 70 minutes on Saturday after the referee prematurely halted a heated encounter between the two sides.

The game was evenly poised at 21-17 to Bracknell when proceedings were drawn to an early finish.

It had been a feisty game throughout and it spilled over when Mike Eastwell was knocked out on the pitch in front of the referee.

He issued a red card and moments later another scuffle saw yellow cards issued to Daniel Ap Dafydd of Bracknell and his opposite number for Harlequins.

Paul Hancock, who was watching the game, said: “The game became horrible to watch and probably to play in.

“It got to the point where the referee clearly felt that he had no control and called the game off early.

“It is the first time in 38 years I have seen that and actually the first time it has happened for a lot of people including the ref.” Due to the time at which the referee abandoned the game, the result stands which means Bracknell 2nds extend their lead at the top of the Berks/Bucks & Oxon Division One table to eight points over Oxford Harlequins.

Gavin Edgar had given Bracknell the perfect start when he danced past a couple of challenges to touch down under the posts, with George Elliot adding the extras.

But Bracknell failed to build on that and found themselves behind midway through the half following two converted tries by the hosts.

It was a tense and tight game between two sides at the top of the table and Bracknell crucially struck back on the stroke of half-time.

The visitors were camped in the opposition half until Eastwell broke the line and touched down, with Elliot again kicking the conversion.

Quins edged ahead after the break through a penalty, but Stuart Laye touched down from a scrum to put Bracknell 19-17 ahead, with Elliot’s boot successful again.

It was all set for a grandstand finish until the referee decided to call time on the game early, leaving supporters bitterly disappointed but Bracknell with a victory in the bag at the end of a bruising encounter.