The Ducks could have wrapped up the points within ten minutes of the kick-off in this opening game - in the first thirty seconds Roni Joe won the ball in midfield and released Dwain Clarke for a one-on-one, but Clarke blazed his shot over from outside the box.

New skipper Scott Honeyball headed narrowly over from a set piece, and a Stuart Maynard cross narrowly evaded three United players as it flew across the six yard box.

It seemed to be only a matter of time before the Ducks took the lead. However, the 'home' side (groundsharing at Walton & Hersham due to re-development of their stadium) took more of a grip on the game as the half progressed, with their best chance coming when the ball dropped to Battams inside the box following a corner but he screwed his shot wide.

Towards the end of the first half, a Roni Joe cross was just too high for Ollie Stanbridge to connect with properly, his header flying over.

In the second half United once again almost scored from the kick-off, as Stanbridge waltzed into the box, but failed to offload the ball to the waiting Steve Clark.

Moments later, a similar Stanbridge run led to on-loan Scott Bennett hitting the bar from close range.

Then came the five minutes of madness in which the game was won and lost. Steve Clark broke the deadlock, firing home from fifteen yards following good work from Dwain Clarke.

Staines were level within a minute, Butler given time and space to curl a shot into the far corner of the Aylesbury net. Then, suddenly, they were in front - Sullivan having an age to place the ball beyond Wheeler.

After that United were shut out of midfield and unable to mount serious pressure. In the dying seconds United almost grabbed an equaliser - firstly when Staines almost put through their own net, then when Stanbridge forced an excellent save from home keeper Lovett. But it was not to be.