United's FA Trophy campaign was finally brought to an end by Billericay Town, at the second time of asking, with a 4-1 defeat at Bell Close. Aylesbury battled away for 90 minutes with little success, their only reward being a succession of injuries suffered throughout the team.

Billericay threatened as early as the 3rd minute when a poor clearance from stand in centre-back Kevin Mealor fell to Matt Game, but his swerving effort was well held by Tom Vincent. It was just ten minutes before the visitors did take the lead, with an easy goal. A cross from the left exposed the Green's vulnerability to crosses, and Nathan Elder found himself unmarked to fire home at the far post.

Aylesbury's first chance came four minutes later, when the ball fell to Enzo Silvestri 5-yards outside the area, but he shot wide of the target. Great skill by winger Lee Hodges at the other end allowed him to find the space to fire in a rasping effort from the left flank, which was spilled by Vincent, but fortunately for him Jo Flack somehow fired over with the goal gaping.

Silvestri had another chance to open his account for the season when a Nando Perna free-kick dropped to him, but once again from the edge of the area his connection was poor and the ball skewed wide.

Ricay's second was after 20 minutes, and due to another calamity in United's defence. An awful backpass forced Vincent to come racing out of his goal, but as he did so he brought down Elder for a penalty kick. Aylesbury's luck simply wasn't in as Hodges's spot kick was twice saved by Vincent, before Elder smashed home his second of the match.

Kyle Kilmartin went close for the Ducks five minutes later, when he flicked a corner kick delivery right across the face of goal but wide. Aylesbury then had a seemingly legitimate shot for a penalty denied, when Leon Gutzmore challenged for and won the ball at a free-kick, before being hacked down by the defender he had challenged. Referee Mr. McLaughlin wasn't interested though.

Billericay had two further efforts in quick succession, Elder missed a good chance for his hat-trick when he headed straight at Vincent and Hodges wasted a good opportunity from a free-kick by firing well wide. The visitors were playing some excellent football, and after Hodges and Danny Kerrigan linked up down the left side the latter played a superb ball in to Flack, whose snapshot was saved by Vincent. On the stroke of half-time Aylesbury came as close as they had in the match when Liam Smyth nipped in onto a long ball, beat goalkeeper Ronnie Worster to it, but had to watch as his header dropped agonisingly wide of the far post.

The second half started in much the same manner, and Elder had another headed effort well held, before Jo Flack scored a third for his side, five minutes into the second half.

United were forced to make a double substitution, with both Pringle and Mealor having picked up injuries and forced to leave the field, replaced by Craig Henney and Justin Gordon. A minute later though Aylesbury did manage to pull a goal back, although it was little consolation. A scramble in the area was eventually ended by Luke Melisi, who fired home his first for the club.

Five minutes later though the visitors re-established their three goal cushion. A ball played through into the path of Flack was well saved by the on-rushing Vincent, but the rebound was steered home. In the melee both Vincent and Kilmartin suffered injuries having collided, Kilmartin having to be replaced by Steve Sanson.

Perhaps the highlight of the match for Aylesbury was a superb piece of skill by young Justin Gordon, who showed quick feet in the box to beat two men before crashing a fine shot against the crossbar. Gordon tried another shot moments later, this time from range, but it was comfortably held by Worster.

At the other end Whelpdale mishit a shot wide, before the visitors replaced their front two, bringing on Billy Holland, and the experienced campaigner Vinnie John - last seen playing against United for Hornchurch, having signed for the Londoners for a reported ?14,000. Craig Henney had a good chance for the Ducks, having broken through, but his left-footed effort was straight at Worster when he might have done better.

And with that the Ducks bowed out of the FA Trophy for another season, the result everyone expected, but credit was due to the team for bringing Billericay to a replay in the first place.