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Aylesbury's FA Cup hopes came to an end at the hands of old rivals Sutton United, so often the wrecker of dreams for the Ducks over the years.

The Ducks were without Mark Jones and Liam Smyth through injury, but Ben Stevens was fit to start after missing 6 weeks with broken ribs, and Kevin Mealor returned to team in place of Danny Mead. Glen Hawkins and Craig Henney were also restored to the starting line-up.

Aylesbury made an encouraging start to the match, playing the ball about quite well and putting Sutton under some early pressure.

The good start wasn't made to count though, and the U's began to get a foothold in the game, the dangerous Gavin McCallum beating two men before having a shot blocked through to Tom Vincent.

Vincent was called into action again five minutes later, making a great save to deny a player inside the area after a corner wasn't cleared properly. The rebound dropped to Billy Dunn but he could only smash into the side-netting.

The Ducks were having to work hard to keep Sutton at bay, but were generally coping well with their visitors' superior physical strength.

The gangly Dean Palmer might have done better with two chances in quick succession, first heading a left-wing cross wide of the target, then secondly finding himself on the end of a ball into the box which looped up and into his path, the ball coming off his knee straight into the arms of a relieved Vincent.

Aylesbury finally had their first meaningful effort five minutes before the break. Mealor got the better of Craig Dundas before feeding Maynard with a sublime through ball, but he couldn't control his shot and the ball went well wide.

Mealor was then crucially involved at the other end, making an excellent block to deny a fierce shot from Billy Dunn inside the area, as the first half ended goalless.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-0 Sutton United

Aylesbury had done a good job of containing Sutton in the first half, but it was a different story after the break as they found themselves outmanoeuvred in every area and were generally second best.

Chances were still few and far between, but McCallum had a great opening when he outpaced the defence but his shot was well saved by the outrushing Vincent. The rebound fell kindly for him, but he was only able to direct his shot wide of the empty goal.

Sutton continued to grow in stature, and as they did so more chances fell their way. Matt Hann dragged a shot well wide of the goal, then McCallum beat Kavanagh and tried a 20-yard low drive which Vincent was able to save low at his near post.

With the run of play only going in one direction, an opening goal seemed inevitable and it duly arrived on 71 minutes. Matt Hann picked the ball up midway into the Aylesbury half, and scored a magnificent solo effort, beating four or five home defenders before clipping the ball past Tom Vincent. 1-0 Sutton

With twenty minutes remaining, the deflated Ducks were still struggling to compete in the match, let alone mount any sort of comeback.

Danny Mead entered the fray for Matt Butler as Tony Thompson shuffled his pack, but the Ducks were crying out for an attacking change ? Hawkins and Henney continually stifled by Sutton's backline, with Chris Collins particularly impressive.

McCallum had another chance, but he dragged a tame shot wide of the post.

Nathan Graham and Roni Joe both came on in the closing stages, as United still plugged away with little impact.

In stoppage time Aylesbury came as close as ever to earning a replay when Carl Kavanagh of all people struck a sweet volley goalwards, drawing a fine save from Paul Nicholls to tip the ball wide.

That was as good as it got for the Ducks, as time ran out and the curtain came down on their FA Cup campaign for another season.