Before the game the history books showed the fixture producing just three goals in two and a half years, and that Aylesbury hadn't beaten Leighton since August 2006, so a first 0-0 draw of the season for the Ducks was always on the cards.

The visitors' starting line-up included three former United players, with a further two on the bench, whilst for Aylesbury Ross Lafayette returned to defensive duties in place of the unavailable Ross Taylor.

Gladly, this game wasn't as lifeless as some of those aforementioned encounters, and did at least produce some goalmouth action.

Leighton had the first attempt when James Hatch's shot on the edge of the area was charged down by Carl Kavanagh.

On the quarter hour mark the Reds were a whisker away from taking the lead when Hatch fired in a shot from an impossible angle which looped up off Tom Vincent before being headed towards the empty goal by former United winger Aston Goss. The ball struck the inside of the post before eventually being scrambled away by the recovering defence.

The Leighton player was at it again minutes later when an inswinging corner was cleared off the goal-line into the path of Hatch, but the striker, with fifteen goals to his name this season, lacked the composure needed and fired his low effort wide.

A minute later the tricky Dennis Fenemore also came close when he curled a cross-cum-shot just past Vincent's far post as Aylesbury continued to feel the strain of some early pressure.

The Ducks finally had their first attempt on goal with half an hour played. A thrown in was taken to Chris Marsh and he was allowed to turn and shoot, his effort zipping across the turf and wide.

It marked the start of a good spell for Aylesbury who had two further good efforts in quick succession.

A ball in from the left found Nathan Graham whose quick shot on the turn curled just past the post with one-time United keeper Lee Clark beaten.

The flurry of activity in front of him came to an end when Mark Boyce's left-footed cross was headed wide by the arriving Neil Roberts, as the scoresheet still remained untroubled.

Hatch fired another effort off target before the interval when he blazed a volley over the bar after a telling delivery from Goss had fallen his way, but Aylesbury had the last chance when Roberts headed wide again, this time after a left-wing cross.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-0 Leighton

Marsh got the second half goal action underway when he jinked into the box and collected Mead's pass inside to him, but could only produce a poor finish which didn't trouble Clark.

The second half was on the whole less eventful than the first, Liam Howley's deft back header from Scott Thomas' excellent free-kick delivery at least called upon Vincent to gather the ball, but was the only notable attempt for a long period.

On 65 minutes Leighton failed to make the most of a poor clearance from Vincent, Hatch's strife in front of goal continuing as he rolled a shot past the empty net after Fenemore had retrieved the ball and passed to him.

Six minutes later the visitors were denied what they felt was a penalty kick when a forward went down in the box, and with play allowed to continue subsequently had a shot blocked in the area as they continued to apply decent pressure.

Daniel Mead twice went close to grabbing a winner in the closing stages. First he went for goal with a free-kick from the edge of the box after a foul on Graham.

Four minutes later he found himself inside the area with the ball having played a one-two with Marsh, but his right-footed effort was blocked en route to goal.

Carl Kavanagh then added his name to the list of ?unlikely match winners' with a well struck half-volley which was goalbound, only to be stopped on the line by Wes Lewis.

That was as close as anyone came in green and white, although Marsh did have one late scuffed effort, and the match ended a predictable goalless draw.