After the disappointment of conceding a last gasp equaliser at Fairford on Saturday, the battle resumed this evening at the Meadow to see which of the teams would progress to play Clevedon Town in the next round. Three changes to the Ducks line up saw Daryl Bryan-Samuels replace Jake Bewley wide on the left, Jonas Kalonda replace Hayden Beadle in midfield and Owen James join his namesake Owen ‘Juice’ James up top in place of Oliver Jovanovic. Jack Moriarty also returned, taking a place on the subs bench.

With the opposition late arriving after a long journey from Gloucestershire, manager Jack Wells was looking for a fast start to take advantage of any tired legs. The Ducks did start well, a defence splitting through ball from Kalonda saw Juice clear of defender Will Davidson, but he stumbled as he shaped to shoot, his effort falling kindly for Ben Mitchell in the visiting goal. Shortly afterwards a ball down the left channel found strike partner James, but his shot lacked composure and flew into the field behind the goal.

Despite the promising start, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 10th minute; David Lynn was caught in two minds as he prepared to pass out of defence, being robbed by Harrison Edwards. He passed wide to overlapping full back Ellis McSharry who crossed low to the near post. James Callan could only parry the cross, diverting it to Kai Mahon at the far post who tapped in to open the scoring. 1-0 Fairford

With 15 minutes gone, a cross from Jack Empson found Dave Pearce in space on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot from 20 yards was dragged wide of the right hand post.

More confusion in the Duck’s defence saw the visitors come close to extending their lead; Edwards won the ball in the penalty area and found strike partner Jamal Lawrence, but strong pressure by Callan and skipper Jack Wood forced his shot wide of the target. Lawrence came closer still two minutes later, robbing the ball from Empson and advancing to shoot from 25 yards, but fortunately for the Ducks, unlike his strike on Saturday, this time it cannoned off the post and out for a goal kick.

The Ducks were certainly under pressure for most of the half, sloppy passes conceding possession all too often and being forced to defend, desperately at times to prevent the score from being extended. On 38 minutes a clearance from Callan towards Empson was intercepted by Edwards who played the ball wide to Mahon; the striker continued his run and was found by Mahon, but his shot from the edge of the penalty area was too close to Callan, who made a good one handed save. From the resulting corner, Callan’s punch found Mahon at the far post; he delivered the ball across goal to Davidson who saw his header glance off the post and away to safety.

With four minutes remaining on the clock a long ball forward found Mahon on the left, free on goal ahead of Empson; as he reached the edge of the penalty area Callan was out quickly to block his shot with his feet, allowing the Ducks to reach half time just the one goal in arrears, when it could have been much worse.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-1 Fairford

Harsh words and home truths were no doubt dished out in the home changing room, with better expected in the second half. One change saw Moriarty replace Kalonda to add to the strength in midfield.

It was a much better start as demanded, leading to the Ducks equalising from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute. A long ball into the penalty area found James, who accelerated away from his defender and appeared to be clipped on the heels. The award of the penalty was hotly disputed - was it a foul, was it inside the area\' The only opinion that mattered was that of referee Dave Brennan who was sure on both counts, and the penalty was awarded. Pearce stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and draw the Ducks level. 1-1

On the hour mark Tyriq Hunte was introduced to replace ‘Juice’ James and from the start he began to impose himself on the opposition, using his pace and strength to worry the defenders. In the 68th minute a great ball from Moriarty split the defence and sent James clear on goal; Mitchell was out well to narrow the angle and force the striker wide, leaving him with a tough chance which flashed across the face of goal.

Despite the Ducks dominating much of the play, the visitors were not out of it and came close themselves in the 79th minute. Lawrence collected the ball 20 yards out and tried his luck, but the shot flashed wide of the far post.

As the game ticked towards the end, incredibly the Ducks took the lead in the same fashion as they had at Fairford in the first game. A deep corner from Pearce was met by the rising Wood who powered home a header from 6 yards to give his side the lead. 2-1 Aylesbury

The question was, could the Ducks see the game out this time, unlike the in the original match. Their cause wasn’t helped with 9 minutes being added on at the end of the game, which saw a great chance for the visitors, Tom Chamberlain heading wide in the dying moments from a corner. However, hang on they did, and it is the Ducks that will go forward to face Clevedon Town at the Meadow on Fri 18th Aug, kick off at 7.45. Before that though, two tough opening league matches against promoted sides, first away at Stotfold on Saturday, then our old landlords Leighton Town on Tue 15th Aug. We hope to see as many of you as possible to support the new team and lift them to achieve.