The Ducks ventured North for their biggest day out since Port Vale, for an FA Trophy match, knowing victory would see them into the last sixteen. The atmosphere at Moss Lane was excellent, with the home fans in full voice, and the copiuous away following making just as much noise.
After the previous week's win over Grays, Steve Cordery made three changes to his team, with Richard Horner, Steve McGrath and Craig Maskell all returning from injury to start the match. A reshuffle saw Danny Gordon move to right back and Greg Williams shift into a midfield role.
The match started at a good pace, with the players clearly spirited by the support being given from both sets of fans. Neither team created much in the way of chances during the opening stages, but the first went the way of the home side. A free-kick 10 yards outside the penalty box was chipped up and hit towards goal in a Redknapp-esque style by Dave Gardner.
Aylesbury played themselves into trouble soon after, as a routine free-kick for offside was taken by Danny Gordon short to Steve McGrath. Either he didn't realise it had been taken...or something, and he allowed himself to be tackled. Peter Band was clean through but he missed the goal with his shot. Things didn't get any better for McGrath, as a poor backpass nearly let in an Altrincham striker soon after.
United's first chance came after Joe Baker was put clear down the right, and his whipped cross was met in mid air by a Greg Williams volley. Unfortunately the leader couldn't get around the ball fully, and it went wide.
The play was all going the way of Altrincham, as they created chance after chance. Ian Craney tiptoed towards goal, before lifting his shot wide of the post. From a free-kick the ball fell to Mark Maddox whose wild shot sailed well over. Finally Band again found himself one on one with Worgan. This time the Wimbledon keeper made a brilliant reflex save to deny him.
Despite Altrincham's host of chances, it was the Ducks who went into the break a goal up. A series of corners were won by Aylesbury, and it was a case of third time lucky. The corner was almost headed home initially, before being half cleared. The ball fell to Fiston Manuella who hit a left footed shot which nestled into the bottom corner of the net. 1-0 Aylesbury
Half-time: 1-0 Aylesbury
The second half started with Altrincham still on top. Gardner burst into the box and hit a fierce shot over. Soon after, the ball was not cleared by the Ducks defence and the eventual shot was straight at Worgan. The ball hit the keeper, rather than him saving it, and it ran free as a result. Fortunately no Altrincham player was on hand to pick up the ball.
As the game carried on, the Ducks started to keep the ball a bit more, and with Altrincham pushing forward the away side were able to counter attack. Greg Williams went on a run into the heart of Altrincham's defence. His low cross was palmed away by keeper Acton, and the rebound was nearly squeezed in for a United second.
A quick counter from Altrincham brought another impressive save from the insperational Worgan. The game was now being played at a frantic pace, and was almost end to end stuff. A counter attack from Aylesbury this time saw Baker race clear into a one on one with the keeper, but his shot lacked conviction and was straight at Acton.
The Aylesbury highlight of the second half was Greg Williams hitting a thunderbolt 20-yard strike which smacked against Acton's post.
As Altrincham continued on the offensive, the Ducks were making the most of their short fall at the back. Some delightful play in the penalty area saw the ball rolled around between players, without anyone able to have a shot on goal. Joe Baker spun off his marker to break free, and delivered an excellent ball for Kezie Ibe. Ibe's looping header bounced off the top of the bar.
As the game drew to an end Altrincham finished with ten men after injuries and the use of all three of their subsitutes. The home side's challenge was finally brought to an end after the referee played all six minutes of stoppage time, and it was the Ducks who advance to the next round and the last sixteen.
