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A third draw in four games was something of an anti-climax for the Aylesbury fans who travelled to the Meadow for this Division One Midlands game with Sutton Coldfield Town.

After a strong performance at Evesham United on Saturday, the Ducks simply couldn't find the same level and played out an even match with their opponents that neither side deserved to win.

Kevin Mealor should have opened the scoring inside three minutes when the midfielder was played in over the top, running through on goal, but could only power a shot straight at the visiting keeper from inside the area.

As in the previous meeting between the sides, Sutton kept possession well making Aylesbury work to get rare touches in the first half, but unlike in September there was little end product from the Royals - Craig Masters' wild effort their only attempt in the first half hour.

Aylesbury's next effort was truly something out of nothing, Mealor chesting the ball and from wide-left unleashing a 30-yard volley which Sutton's keeper spectacularly tipped wide. From the resulting corner Silvestri volleyed over.

Masters was proving a lively customer up front, and he nearly benefited from another good spell of Sutton posession but fired his shot wide. Tom Vincent was smartly out of his goal to smother the ball at Masters' feet minutes later.

Eight minutes before the interval and disaster struck for the home side. Another neat passing move by Sutton saw them advance into the area, Mealor came across to make what appeared to be a legitimate challenge, but Mr Miller awarded a penalty; Emre Woolf calmly converting the spot-kick. 1-0 Sutton Coldfield

On the stroke of half-time parity was restored though, with a goal out of very little. The ball fell to Richard Pringle who controlled before rifling home a half-volley. 1-1

Half-time: Aylesbury 1-1 Sutton Coldfield

Aylesbury improved greatly after the break, controlling the possession in the way Sutton had done in the first half. Indeed, most of the game was now taking place in the visitors' half, but the Ducks lacked ideas in front of goal.

Pringle went close on 52 minutes when he again controlled with his chest, but this time volleyed across the face of goal and wide.

A well worked move allowed Pringle another chance to shoot on goal, after Julian Old had broken up a Sutton Coldfield attack before playing in the Ducks number 9, who held the ball up for an eternity before striking a powerful shot over the bar.

United's best chance of scoring seemed to be Ben Stevens' dangerous long-throws, and a succession from the right-wing caused mayhem in the Royals' area, the best chance falling to Silvestri whose low shot was saved by the keeper's legs.

Sutton then had their first chance of the second half when Matthew Dodds was released down the right, his cross finding Roberts who directed his header well but it lacked the power to beat Tom Vincent.

Then at the other end a deep free-kick found Gutzmore unmarked, but he couldn't get over the ball and his header was too high.

Luke Melisi came on as a sub in the last third, but struggled to make a telling impression. He did have one effort from distance, but it took a heavy deflection and was easily claimed by the visiting goalkeeper.

The closing stages belonged to Sutton Coldfield, and their substitute striker really should have snatched his side a winner after a strong run down the left by Sam Wilson set him up for a tap-in, but he turned the ball over.

Emre Woolf had two late efforts, one which deflected just wide of the post with Vincent scrambling across his goal. The second was a crashing drive which curled away from goal, after he had been picked out with a square ball.

Matt Butler returned from his 2-game suspension to replace Gutzmore late on, and although he provided fresh legs and renewed drive in midfield, it was too late in the day for Aylesbury and they had to settle for another point where. Come the end of the season hopefully the side won't be looking back at this game as another important 2 points missed out on.