A crushing last minute goal meant Aylesbury once again finished a league game empty handed, and all their hard work of earlier in the match counted for nothing.

Any neutral attending the game would have been left delighted by a seven-goal thriller, but for the Ducks there was despair at full-time after they had fought back from two-goals down to take the lead, only to go on and lose the match.

Aylesbury went into the game looking to build on their win over Tiptree the previous week, but were missing the unavailable Lewis Creser as well as Cristian Barrett who may be leaving the club due to personal reasons, so there was a debut for new defender Ryan Bernard whilst Miles Mitchell-Coop returned to the team.

United went close in the third minute when Calvin Thomas' cross was by Matt Kimani who flicked the ball up before firing wide with an overhead kick.

But it was a familiar story as their hosts took an early lead. Tall striker Matt Lewis rode two challenges in the area before placing a shot past Jack Sillitoe. 1-0 Atherstone

Aylesbury looked to hit back immediately and nearly did so through Daddy Moses who headed Kimani's cross wide of the target.

Two minutes later the lively Kimani went close himself when he went on a dangerous run before cracking a 25-yard effort just over the crossbar.

Despite having much the better of the game, Aylesbury found themselves two-down midway through the half. More poor defending saw the Ducks caught out of position and one ball released Grant Roscorla who finished across Sillitoe. 2-0 Atherstone

It was certainly an undeserved scoreline, but it was one that lasted just two minutes as United struck back when Chris Dean's corner kick delivery was met at the far post by Bernard for a debut goal. 2-1

Atherstone had a couple of chances to increase their lead when first a Dave Haywood free-kick was deflected over the bar, then Sillitoe had to be off his line quickly to block an effort from Redfern who had dribbled right the way through.

The match continued in open fashion right up until the half-time whistle. Calvin Thomas shot well wide for Aylesbury, then Shaun Boothe blazed wildly over the bar having been picked out unmarked with a free-kick delivery.

Moses had a great chance of levelling in the final moments of the half after Ashleigh James picked him out in the area, but his shot was straight at the keeper.

It mattered little when on the stroke of the interval Aylesbury did have a second goal. James again the creator, teeing up Dean Thomas who turned and unleashed a superb effort into the top corner which gave the keeper no chance. 2-2

Half-time: Aylesbury 2-2 Atherstone

The match was turned on its head shortly after the restart. James was fouled just outside the area, and subsequently forced off with the injury he sustained, Dean stepping up and delivering a perfectly placed curling free-kick into the bottom corner. 3-2 Aylesbury

Kimani placed a shot wide, but Aylesbury were unable to build on their lead and their lead only lasted five minutes. A free-kick into the box was headed against the bar and the ball dropped kindly for Chris Sturridge-Parker to tap into the empty net. 3-3

Once again, Atherstone had shown their clinicism in front of goal by taking the only chance they had to that point.

Aylesbury's rhythm had been disrupted meanwhile by the loss of their two central midfielders to injury, Jon Montgomery also forced off to be replaced by another debutant in Abdul Yoki.

The Ducks struggled to fashion the chances they had been creating earlier in the game, although Calvin Thomas had another shot at goal, this time straight at Dan Whatsize.

Kimani came as close as anyone with a half-volley that just missed the target after Whatsize had flapped at a corner kick.

Shiblu Miah was also introduced to the game, but, like his fellow substitutes, just couldn't make any kind of impression on the game which seemed to be slipping away from the Ducks as the minutes ticked by.

It was suddenly backs to the walls time for Aylesbury as the game entered the final ten minutes. A viciously inswinging free-kick had to be superbly tipped wide by Sillitoe. Then a minute later there was chaos at the back from another set piece and the ball was twice cleared off the line.

The Ducks were hanging on, but as the 90th minute arrived it looked like they had done enough to earn a first point of the season.

But the Adders had other ideas and hit a sucker punch. A classic counter attacking move caught a number of United bodies upfield, and Luke Edwards provided the finish. 4-3 Atherstone

Only seconds remained after the game was restarted, and at full time there was despair etched of the faces of the players in green and white who had given their all, but once again, undeservedly had nothing to show for their efforts.