United's first ever visit to Sudbury's home at the Priory Stadium was for an FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round tie. Having recorded a memorable victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the previous round, the Ducks were in good spirits. Leading the Southern Premier League by three points they were so far unbeaten. The hosts were also confident having dismissed local rivals Braintree Town 4-0 to set up this fixture.
Perhaps predictably, given the nature of such games, it soon became apparent that United would not get things all their own way. Five of Trevor Gould's first choice line up barely arrived in time to change as they were stuck in traffic and missed the coach, while four others were struggling with injury.
Sudbury had the better of the first period, but the crowd had to wait until twenty minutes from time before they saw a goal. In a calamitous moment, David Botterill sliced a cross into his own net and the home side went wild.
Fortunately for the Ducks the lead didn't last. Two minutes later Cliff Hercules rose to head home his first goal of the campaign.
