Aylesbury's 6 match unbeaten run was brought to an end by Thurrock, a team who themselves were on a run of 9 games without defeat, would be a tough task for the Ducks, but confidence was running high before the game.
The home side so nearly got off to the perfect of starts. A ball played in found its way across the area, and with the keeper strandrd, Tom Ramasut headed the ball towards the empty goal. Despite appearing to be on target, the ball hit the post and bounced clear.
The Ducks were given a couple of warnings by their Essex opponents, as first David Collis cut inside and drilled a shot into the side netting, following a blocked corner. Then Tresor Kandol easily beat Matt Hayward, but saw his effort tipped wide by Kevin Davies.
Thurrock took the lead after 18 minutes. A free-kick was easily headed home by Cliff Akurang, with no defender challenging for the ball. 1-0 Thurrock
Four minutes later and Aylesbury found themselves two-goals down. The unfortunate Tom Ramasut mis-kicked, and inadvertantly played a delightful ball over the top of the Ducks defence, which Kandol ran onto and easily finished. 2-0 Thurrock
2-0 down so early into the game there was a real danger that Aylesbury could collapse, as Thurrock overran the defence time and time again. Kandol and Akurang were menacing up front, with the midfield also looking strong.
Kandol got clear of the defense again, and apparently fired over the bar, but the referee awarded a corner kick. Akurang then had a run and shot stopped by Davies.
Aylesbury got a bit of luck and hit-back with three minutes of the first half remaining. A free-kick was launched into the box by Paul Covington, and the ball was flicked on by Darren Lynch, before finding it's way through to Greg Williams who had the easiest task of nodding the ball home. 2-1 Thurrock
With a comeback on the cards, the worst possible thing the Ducks could have done was concede another goal. So they did. Cliff Akurang headed home his second from a cross. Poor defending, slack marking. Not good enough. 3-1 Thurrock
Kevin Davies was forced to race out of his area and make a high-challenge on Kandol to keep it to 3-1. Luckily he won the ball, otherwise the keeper would have been sent off.
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-3 Thurrock
Aylesbury made a double substitution at half-time, with Dannys Gordon and Gray replacing Hayward and Campion respectively.
Darren Lynch tried a dipping volley early in the second half, which dropped just over the bar.
Despite attempting to get back into the game, Thurrock effectively killed the game with a fourth goal, ten minutes into the second half. A fantastic ball played forward caused a mix-up in the defence, and Akurang stole in to finish well. 4-1 Thurrock
Even at 4-1 down, the Ducks refused to give the game up, and scored another goal within four minutes. A free-kick was played into the box, and Paul Covington had a header well saved by Gothard, but the ball fell to Matt Glynn who made no mistake from six-yards. 4-2 Thurrock
As the fans sensed a comeback, the game went into overddrive, with Aylesbury breaking forward at every opportunity. Chris Jackson went on a fine run, covering half of the pitch length, before laying the ball to Ramasut, receiving it back and crossing for Lynch. Sadly, the big striker's header was just wide.
Thurrock did well to nullify the Ducks limited threat though, and time slowly ticked by until there was too little of it left.
Meanwhile, the away side still had chances to add to their lead. Kandol was allowed a free-header, but could only place it straight at Davies.
Both teams made substitions in the final part of the match, and the game fizzled to an end, as it became a scrappy encounter. The Ducks ran out of time to complete their unlikely comeback, and it finished 4-2 to Thurrock.
