Aylesbury made a return to the War Memorial Athletic Ground, home of Stourbridge, for the first time in 22 years. The result that day, back in 1985 was a 0-0 draw and with United having drawn three of their last four games, the smart money was on a point each ahead of the match.
The home side had beaten the Ducks 1-0 at Bell Close earlier in the season, and sat comfortably in the playoff places, so it looked a tough test for Aylesbury.
The early exchanges were even until the seventh minute when Tom Vincent spilled the ball, following which a free-kick was awarded for a high boot on the edge of the area. Mark Bellingham's low set play skidded off the wall and into Vincent's arms.
Five minutes later Richard Pringle could have opened Aylesbury's scoring when he took down a high ball but somewhat rushed his shot, when he had more time to measure his effort.
Stourbridge went close again when both Aylesbury centre-backs missed the ball allowing Richard Langford to run through but his lob cleared the bar, to the relief of Kavanagh and Leach.
At the other end Ben Stevens went close when he connected with a cross from a throw-in, but guided his header wide and clashed heads with Nathan Bennett for his efforts.
The home side took the lead after 23 minutes when a long throw was flicked on, then headed into the net by Bellingham at the back post.
Scoring gave Stourbridge a confidence boost, and they were suddenly posing a big threat to Vincent's goal. Had it not been for a great save by the Aylesbury stopper Neil Kitching would have doubled the lead when he turned a low cross goalwards at the near post. 1-0 Stourbridge
Langford was booked for holding back Melisi when he seemed to have a clear run at goal, and from the resulting free-kick Stevens proved a menace but again headed wide as Aylesbury looked to hit back.
Enzo Silvestri had a fine chance to equalise when Mead cushioned a header into his path, but his shot lacked the power to test Solly in the Stourbridge goal.
Mead might have done better himself when he had a clear sight of goal following some great play and a cut back to him by Liam Smyth, but even though the ball sat up kindly for him to volley with his left foot he cleared the goal by some distance.
A speculative volley by Richard Pringle rounded off the first half, Aylesbury having no reason to be too despondent about their performance having created enough chances, but they had failed to fully test Solly in the opening period.
Half-time: Stourbridge 1-0 Aylesbury
The second half was slow coming to life, but it was Stourbridge who threatened first when Kitching headed wide at a free-kick with United's marking questionable.
Solly was called into his first save on the hour mark, and what a save it was! Carl Kavanagh rose highest to connect with Mead's corner, heading low and hard, but Solly sprung to his right to stop the ball on the line.
Melisi flicked a cross just wide for the Ducks, and Stourbridge's Bellingham cut inside before shooting wide as both sides continued to fashion openings for themselves.
As the game entered the final quarter Aylesbury upped their tempo and began to ask serious questions of their hosts. Pringle came agonisingly close when he hit a dipping effort just over the bar from inside the area.
But two minutes later they had a deserved equaliser. Mead's left-sided free-kick was headed back across goal by Stevens, and guided in for his first Aylesbury goal by Kavanagh, who wasn't to be denied for a second time. 1-1
Both sides still had chances to win it, typified by one mad moment in which Vincent made a good save to deny Stourbridge before releasing Melisi with a long kick. The tricky striker ended his run with a shot which was blocked, but could have gone anywhere.
Pringle found himself free in the area, but his badly mishit shot only found the cricket pitch on the far side of the ground. A bad looking challenge by Ryan Mahon on Silvestri resulted in a booking, and gave Mead a chance to show his free-kick skills, but this one curled wide of the post.
Stourbridge gave Aylesbury two scares late in the day, when first Sam Rock hit a good effort from outside the area which had Vincent beaten all ends up, but clipped the outside of the post.
The in the final seconds substitute Paul Moore's curving effort had to be carefully fielded by Vincent.
A defeat would have been more than harsh on the Ducks though, who showed great character and belief having gone behind and thoroughly deserved their point against one of the league's stronger sides.
