After bouncing back from a 1-2 home Diadora League Premier Division defeat by St. Albans City in midweek with a 4-1 away win over Dorking the previous Saturday, United had their proud record of reaching the FA Cup 1st Round Proper for eight consecutive seasons ended as they crashed to a 1-2 home defeat by their Diadora League Premier Division rivals at Buckingham Road.
Marlow took the lead in just the 5th minute when Neil Catlin fed Tim Buzaglo who shrugged off a challenge to sweep the ball across the face of the goal and, with the Ducks defence day dreaming, Mark Watkins converted at the far post.
The hosts spurned several chances to equalise with the closest they came being in the 18th minute when Mark Fleming?s cross found the normally reliable Cliff Hercules who headed against the bar before the ball was cleared.
Then, on the stroke of half time, the outstanding Jon Blencowe?s through ball sent John Lawford clear but the United winger missed a sitter and the Ducks went into half time a goal down.
They were made to pay for those misses when, in the 56th minute, Stewart Mitchell?s cross from the right was only half cleared by the United defence and David Lay shot through a crowded box and past keeper Russell Meara to make it 2-0.
The Ducks looked a beaten and demoralised side for the next half an hour until they pulled a goal back in the 86th minute when Blencowe?s opportunist effort hit the underside of the bar and bounced down over the line.
In the dying seconds Hercules forced a great save out of Marlow keeper Kevin Mitchell but not even United?s record goalscorer could save his side?s fall from grace this time.
David Figg
