The Ducks were certainly not overawed by the occasion as Hercy's men gave the most professional performance seen from a United team at a Football League ground. To a man the players harried and pressed their opponents and created far more opportunities against Vale than any of their predecessors did in their bids for Cup glory.

Off the field, hundreds of Aylesbury supporters descended on the Potteries, hungry for a great day out. Some wore wigs and funny hats, others had their faces painted, the more vain went as themselves. None would be disappointed and all played a massive part in the occasion. When the teams took to the field the Ducks fans filled the sky with hundreds of balloons and tens of thousands of pieces of tickertape. And from that moment on there was barely a second of silence from the green and white clad fans. Singing and shouting was interspersed with rhythmic drumming, reaching a crescendo every time their valiant heroes attacked.

And unlike many previous Cup outings they had plenty to shout about as United had a number of promising openings. Dwight Marshall had the first chance but saw his effort cleared off the line before Dwain Clarke's effort struck the post.

Vale had their chances too, but Adam Wheeler in the United goal was rarely troubled. Danny Gordon and Scott Honeyball were solid in the centre of the defence all afternoon and were ably assisted out wide by Peter Risley and Greg Williams. Stuart Maynard and Enzo Silvestri battled away in the engine room of the midfield, while Ollie Stanbridge and Dwain Clarke looked sharp coming in from the wings. Dwight Marshall and Chris Bangura troubled their markers as the Aylesbury contingent started to believe that a shock might be on.

The on fifty two minutes the moment all Ducks folk had been waiting for. Stuart Maynard looped a corner to the far post where captain Honeyball rose and headed powerfully. The ball bounced down and struck the inside of the post before crossing the line, sending those behind the goal into delirium. The one hundred and four year drought appeared to be over. Unfortunately the referee, Mr Jordan from Tring, saw an infringement and ecstasy turned to agony, delight to despair.

While the debate raged on, the home side showed true professionalism and grabbed the lead, substitute Richard Burgess heading home.

The Ducks didn't crumble though and rallied. But fifteen minutes later Aylesbury hearts were broken when Michael Cummins drove home.

Hercy changed his formation bringing Steve Clark and Roni Joe into the fray and the veteran striker came within a whisper of getting that goal, the Vale keeper saving his powerful header well.

Peter Clifford got his few minutes of glory as Cliff gave all his first team regulars an experience not to be forgotten before Stephen Brooker added a third to give the home side a result which was flattering to say the least.

For fifteen or so minutes after the match the players were still taking their plaudits from their adoring faithful before we all waded through three inches of paper and back to the coaches with memories to last a lifetime.