A superb win over promotion chasing Stourbridge was the reward for rejuvenated Aylesbury who built on their weekend win over Bedworth in perfect fashion.
As contrasts go, this ranked high in terms of match entertainment. Whereas the Cinderford and Bedworth matches fell into the category of ?dull', United raised their game against their higher flying opponents and produced a great game to watch.
There was more action in the opening twenty minutes of this game than in the entire previous fixture as the match got off to an explosive start.
The excellent Kyle Hadley tried his luck with a volley after two minutes which was deflected through to Tom Vincent, before Faulkner dug out a shot at the other end within 90 seconds which had to be claimed by Lewis Solly.
Stourbridge looked determined to get an early goal as they poured forward in the opening stages and Aylesbury were penned back for much of the time. Hadley flashed a driven cross-shot right across the face of goal, then Gavin Winsper was allowed to turn and shoot ? Vincent able to pluck the ball out of the air.
More drama was soon forthcoming when Chris Aslett was deemed to have tripped an opponent inside the area on 14 minutes. Vincent performed heroics though when he first saved Leon Broadhurst's penalty and then somehow completed a superb double save to deny the follow-up.
Having weathered the early storm, Aylesbury then managed to come out and play some good football of their own. A move involving some neat, quick interchange to feet ended with a shot from Faulkner which was straight at Solly.
Nicholls had the next chance as he fed off Graham's knock down but he sliced the ball wide.
Vincent was having a fantastic start to the game and he made a blinding save to deny Hadley who cracked a well struck half-volley which was top-corner bound and only matched by the stop from Aylesbury's number one.
Unfortunately for him we were to see both the good and bad sides of his game in quick succession, as he did well to save the resulting corner, but from the corner that followed Vincent completely missed the ball allowing Broadhurst to head into the vacant net. 1-0 Stourbridge
Aylesbury refused to let the goal get them down and they were soon back in the hunt for an equaliser. A suspiciously offside looking Faulkner forced Solly into a good save as he tipped his shot wide midway through the half.
Ten minutes before the break the Ducks had a penalty of their own when Mealor was clearly fouled when winding up to shoot. Faulkner stepped up and showed Broadhurst how it should be done with a confident spot kick. 1-1
The half still had time to run, and that meant time for more action in what had already been an absorbing contest. Nathan Graham went close as he stretched to reach a Stevens free-kick but could only find the roof of the net with his shot.
Stourbridge twice came close to restoring their lead before half-time. Andy Wright raced onto a ball over the top of the defence but shot straight at Vincent with only the keeper to beat.
Stuart Cattell then performed heroics by clearing the ball off the line at the very last second after Broadhurst had nipped in ahead of Vincent to a through ball.
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-1 Stourbridge
After the break Aylesbury did a good job of nullifying the threat of Stourbridge, who were generally restricted to counter-attacks as the home side kept the ball well.
A penalty appeal was turned down early on when the ball was kicked against a visiting players' hand. Faulkner went close minutes later when his shot on the turn just cleared the crossbar after a throw was flicked on to him.
The chances continued to fall Aylesbury's way as they kept up the pressure. Mealor slashed a volley wide, before a deep cross from the same player picked out substitute Mark Jones but he could only direct his header off target.
Something of a rarity in the second half was a Stourbridge shot on goal, but James Dyson did have a chance when he got free, but could only fire straight at Vincent.
Nathan Graham added his name to ?miss of the season' candidates on 75 minutes when he failed to convert Mealor's low cross from 3-yards out and it was starting to look like Aylesbury would have to make do with a point, Mealor shooting over once again late on.
But there was to be a dramatic winner right at the death. Jones had made a good impact since his introduction, and has his shot was blocked in the area in dropped kindly to Faulkner who guided the ball into the net. 2-1 Aylesbury
There was still time for one more save from man of the match Vincent, this time keeping the ball out from his own man after Kavanagh had inadvertently flicked it goalwards.
An equaliser would have been rough justice on the Ducks though who fully deserved their win having dealt with the big threat of Stourbridge and the managed to contain them in the second half.
