The Oxfordshire side secured a losing bonus point to aid their fight against relegation, but will wonder how they did not beat opponents who had lock Karl Braband red-carded for foul play just before half-time.

Chinnor led 28-18 on the hour mark and 31-25 inside the final ten minutes.

But promotion-chasing Ampthill’s determination was rewarded with tries from centre Robert Davies and wing Dean Adamson, the latter in the final minute.

After Davies crossed for his second try of the match, Chinnor went long with the restart, but Adamson snaffled a dislodged ball to run virtually the length of the field and win the match.

Fly half Will Millett’s penalty gave Chinnor a second-minute lead, but Ampthill full back Elliot Clements-Hill was driven over and added a penalty.

Chinnor hit back with a catch-and-drive try from lock Andrew Tibbatts, converted by Millett.

Jack Hayes cleverly slipped in fellow centre Matt Goode for Chinnor’s second try, with Millett’s penalty making it 18-8 at the break.

Clements-Hill slotted a penalty, but a scrum against the head allowed wing Leo Fielding to go over for a try converted by Millett.

Millett was then yellow-carded and Ampthill kept in touch with a try from No 8 Maama Molitika, converted by Clements-Hill.

Goode’s penalty made it 28-18, but Chinnor had prop Joe Pickett sin-binned.

Davies’s first try, converted by Clements-Hill, reduced the arrears, but a Millett penalty looked like being enough for Chinnor.

The tension increased with Davies’s second score before Adamson broke home hearts.