The fates seemed to conspire against the Ducks for this trip to The Moorlands. A hitch in new signing Mickey Barnes' registration ruled him out (leaving manager Steve Ketteridge with 5 first choice players out through injury or suspension), Ketteridge himself missed the kick off after having to rush away due to a family illness just as the team coach was about to leave Aylesbury and to cap it all, keeper Paul O'Reilly broke down in the pre-match warm-up to leave reserve keeper Rob Wild with an unexpected call-up.

However, they made light of their problems but defended nervously early on. Wild pulled a great save on 16 minutes to deny Guy Russell before they took the lead on 17. Allan Pluckrose crossed to the far post, Paul Murray and Naseem Bashir had shots saved by Moors keeper Chris Taylor before Murray scrambled the ball home. Pluckrose amde a couple of vital blocks inside his own 6 yard area right on half time to ensure his side were still in front at the break, albeit fortunately.

The visitors always looked likely to score again and should have doubled their lead on 67 when, after a good move involving Murray and Steve Heard, Jon Blencowe shot tamely at Taylor. United looked to have deservedly sealed their place in the 1st Round Proper for the 9th time in 10 seasons until a speculative run and shot in off the post by Paul Jones gave the Birmingham side a replay.