Aylesbury were somewhat unlucky with their FA Trophy draws this season, first having to overcome Grays Athletic, before facing this tough trip to big-spending, high-flying, Hornchurch.
There were no changes to the side that performed so well against Bedford, although Ryan Wiffin returned from injury to win a place on the bench, and John Winter was back in the squad.
The game started rather slowly, but both sides had early chances. For Hornchurch a shot was deflected over by the outstretched leg of an Aylesbury defender, and Jon Keeling shot wide when well placed. For Aylesbury Danny Gray hit a first-time effort over the bar on his weaker left-foot, and a Nadim Akhtar free-kick was easily held by Daniel Gay in goal.
After these intial efforts, Aylesbury were restricted by their hosts play and dominance in posession. After Lloyd Opara volleyed wide, Kevin Davies was forced to make a good stop on his near post from a towering header.
Gray came close again, as he nipped in behind the Hornchurch defence, and lobbed the stranded Gay with a dipping effort that dropped just over.
A minute later and the home side were awarded a controversial penalty. The ball was played into the box, and bundled around, before Mr Tincknell pointed to the spot, for an apparent handball against Danny Gordon. Vinnie John stepped forward from his makeshift centre-half role to stroke the penalty home. 1-0 Hornchurch
The goal seemed to relax the home side, and although the game went quiet for a ten-minute spell, they looked to reassert the pressure before half-time. Opara slid the ball wide, under pressure from the ever-young Matt Hayward.
Another chance fell to Gray, after a free-kick into the box was headed down by Lewis Pritchard, and the young striker flashed a volley wide.
Hornchurch then had their best chance from open play, as a lovely ball picked out Bradley Allen, who burst free of the defence. However, instead of placing his shot past the on-rushing Davies, he went for power and watched as his effort was blocked by the keeper.
The home sides final chance of the half was almost just as straightforward, as Opara found himself all alone in the box, with time to pick his spot, but found Davies again performing heroics, as he flung himself at the ball and made the block. On the stroke of half-time, John headed well over from a corner.
Half-time: Hornchurch 1-0 Aylesbury
Sadly, the half-time teamtalk went straight out the window, as Hornchurch doubled their lead a minute into the second period. Jamie Moss dallied on the ball, and was disposessed. The ball was played into the box for Opara, who took a touch and fired the ball across the goal and into the far corner. 2-0 Hornchurch
The pressure was all coming from the home side now, as they created a number of chances to score again. Opara broke free, but sloppily took the ball too far, allowing Davies to gather it in. Davies made a great stop to deny another goal, from a corner this time.
Aylesbury had a rare chance midway through the half. A good counter-attack saw Akhtar break down the left, and he crossed in for Pritchard. The ball was only cleared as far as Cavill, who crashed a volley over the bar.
A goalmouth scramble almost resulted in the home side's third goal, but some heroics from Davies kept the ball out again. Cavill tried to get on the scoresheet again, as he broke forward and drove a powerful effort wide.
Cavill looked the most likely to score for Aylesbury in the second half, and again broke forward with determination. This time though, he tried for the near corner, but shot wide.
At the other end John Martin received the ball on the wing, cut inside and dispatched a curling effort towards the top corner which produced Davies' best save of the match.
The match drew to a close, and finished 2-0. Against Hornchurch most people had written the Ducks off as soon as the draw was made, and with recent events many were prediciting a thrashing for the youngsters. Once more though, they have emerged with credit, as they battled hard, and were undone only by a dodgy penalty and an unfortunate mistake.
We now need to look forward - and a crucial game next Saturday, as we face another team in a crisis, Hitchin Town at home.
