Aylesbury were unable to keep their winning league run going as they were held to a rather disappointing 1-1 draw at home to struggling Stourport Swifts.
Jon Franklin kept faith with the side which had convincingly beaten Bishops Cleeve 4-0 on the previous Wednesday, although he was forced into one defensive change, Carl Kavanagh replacing the departed Danny Brown. Enzo Silvestri returned for a place on the bench.
The early exchanges were dominated by the Ducks, and it seemed only a matter of time before the greens would open the scoring. Stourport were determined though, and their well organised defence meant that despite all their possession and neat football, chances for Aylesbury were limited.
In the first five minutes a Liam Smyth corner kick was headed straight at goalkeeper Paul Evans by Richard Pringle, the rebound falling to Daniel Mead in the area but his poked effort was saved.
The lively Luke Melisi beat his man six minutes later, but he placed a shot wide from 20-yards.
The Ducks were finding life hard in front of goal, summed up when Leon Gutzmore sliced well wide on his left foot having been played in by Matt Butler midway through the half.
Stourport then showed promise of their own when Scott Eaton beat Liburd a bit too easily and powered in a near-post shot which had to be smartly turned away by Tom Vincent.
With half an hour gone Melisi went close again, on the end of excellent work by man of the match Pringle, who beat his man on the right, crossed for the former Leighton Town man to control the ball and volley narrowly wide.
He was at it again five minutes later, getting past his marker and driving in a fierce low cross which Gutzmore couldn?t quite reach. The ball fell to Justin Gordon but his low shot was blocked inside the area.
A long Gordon throw-in was levered down into the path of Gutzmore by Pringle, a typical combination, but the striker couldn?t get a proper contact and slashed his effort wide.
In first half stoppage time Pringle must have thought he?d broken the deadlock; a short corner was crossed in by Smyth, and Pringle stooped at the near post to head for goal, but his effort smacked against the crossbar.
For all their possession United had nothing to show for their efforts, and trooped off at half-time with the match still very much in the balance.
Half-time: Aylesbury 0-0 Stourport
The game was much more of an even affair after the break, and even though Stourport were reduced to ten men for the final quarter of an hour the Ducks still couldn?t capitalise.
Pringle had the first chance after the restart, latching on to Gutzmore?s header but shooting wide on his left foot.
Chances were by now in short supply, Stourport substitute Paul Edwards got free but fired well wide. Striker Dean Curtis, who has already turned out against the Ducks for Evesham this season, also had an effort which was well held by Vincent.
Then came the sending off, a rather bizarre incident to say the least. Defender Matthew Aubrey, booked ten minutes earlier for a rash challenge, was shown a second yellow card for returning to the field of play without permission following an injury ? an injury sustained colliding with his own player.
Franklin made two changes, replacing Gordon and Butler with Mealor and Silvestri, and it had an immediate impact as the latter opened the scoring. A throw in was worked through to the club captain, who with his first touch managed to steer the ball past Evans. 1-0 Aylesbury
That goal looked to be enough, and Aylesbury?s loyal supporters were dreaming of another win to move them further up the table. Stourport had other ideas though, and they forced an equaliser just three minutes later. Yet again the Ducks were unable to defend a set-piece properly, as a scrappy free-kick eventually fell to Mitch Butler who fired home through a crowd of players. 1-1
Joy evaporated for United, who just couldn?t lift themselves to the required level to re-instate their lead. Silvestri had an effort late on, but it wasn?t enough and full-time soon followed.
Stourport celebrated their point, a much needed one to mark manager Phil Mullen?s first game since returning to the club, whilst the Ducks were left to think of what should have been had they made their first half pressure count.
