Grays predicament this season is frankly unbelievable. The talent they have at their disposal make their league position laughable. Perhaps if they tried to play some football instead of hoofing it upfield at every given chance they'd be doing a bit better. However, the away side showed some skill today, and the Ducks were lucky to come away with a point, let alone three.
Aylesbury started excellently, and an Alex Stanley special curling free-kick rebounded off the bar and dropped just the wrong side of the line. A delightful flowing move resulted in a Roni Joe cross falling to Chris Bangura. Unfortunately the young striker was wrong footed and his shot was straight at the keeper, whilst being pressured.
The Ducks took the lead after just 7 minutes, in rather odd circumstances. A lofted free-kick from well inside the Ducks half ended up in the back of the net. It appeared to be an own goal, but debutant Julian Charles was credited with the goal. 1-0 Aylesbury
The lead didn't last long though, and 6 minutes later Grays were level. Aylesbury failed to pick up Roy 'I scored for Wycscum against Leicester' Essendoh and he met the ball with a bullet header. 1-1
The game at this point was becoming scrappy, but the Ducks were still creating the odd chance. Fiston Manuella connected well with a half volley, but could only guide the ball over the bar. Right on the stroke of half time Chris Bangura cut inside, but his right-footed shot lacked power.
The only other talking points of the first half were two melees, with Fist at the centre of both. The first incident was sparked by a poor tackle from Bangura on Grays' Adam Miller, who reacted by stamping on Baggy. Fist was booked for getting involved, and Miller escaped with only a booking. Ryan Maxwell and Charles had a coming together soon after, with both reacting badly and being booked.
Half-time: Aylesbury 1 Grays 1
The second half saw the Grays manager Mark Stimson clearly feeling he could do a better job, as he brought himself on for Adam Miller, who had spent half an hour of the first half trying to wind the crowd up, following his stamping incident.
Grays took a scrappy lead from a corner. Some awful defending from the Ducks saw them fail to clear their lines several times, before the ball was poked home. Scorer to be confirmed... 2-1 Grays
With the Ducks in search of some inspiration, Adam Campion replaced Roni Joe on the right of midfield. Camps' first involvement was to be felled in full flight, just to the right of the penalty area. Stanley hit another good free-kick, which was well punched by the keeper.
As the half ticked on Aylesbury were throwing everything forward, but to the frustration of everyone green nothing would fall for the Ducks. The Grays defence was looking solid and it looked like 3 points were heading to Essex. But then it all went wrong for the visitors...
84 minutes and another ball was pumped into the mixer. However, this ball did fall kindly, Kezie Ibe made sure of it. He chested it down into the path of the Fist, who scuffed a half volley goalwards. The ball hit the inside of the post and somehow rolled over the line. Celebrations all round and the belief had returned. 2-2
In the last minute Campion won another free-kick. The ball was whipped in with pace (as bellowed by Mr Cordery) and although the Ducks attackers and flailing keeper missed it, Peter Smith managed to powerfully head the ball into his own net. Cue bedlam in the chicken run and the dugout. 3-2 Aylesbury
With Grays looking desperate they threw on 'Big' Carl Leaburn (yes, that Carl Leaburn) but the game was already over.
