Aylesbury?s chances of cup glory this season were further diminished as they were dumped out of the Premier Division Cup by in-form Leverstock Green at Bell Close.
The visitors had only lost one match since clawing their way back to a 2-2 draw with the Ducks back at the start of September, and that record never seriously looked in doubt as Aylesbury produced an ineffective and laboured performance.
After a bright start by Leverstock a free kick from Charlie Gorman was well defended early on after Mulholland was penalised for clipping Louis Austin who was clean through on goal, leading the visitors to question Mr Panconi as to why the United captain wasn?t booked at least.
Austin was getting the better of the United defence both in the air and with his pace on the deck, and he set up a good chance for Bekim Culaj who fed on his flick but could only lob over the bar with Sillitoe exposed.
Aylesbury then briefly showed some attacking promise as first a half chance for Baines from Gordon?s cross saw the ball hit the back of his head and ricochet wide, before Coulter did well in making some space for himself but could only shoot into the side netting from a tight angle.
After Hallissey had hammered a volley wide, Levy deservedly took the lead with a well worked goal as Culaj delivered a superb ball in from wide and Ben Butler nipped in between defenders to head home. 1-0 Leverstock Green
In fairness to Aylesbury, they upped their game after the goal but were still struggling in front of goal, as has been the case for the last few matches.
A bout of head tennis finally presented Mulholland with a chance but he could only help the ball on into Carl Tasker?s arms after Christon had headed back into the box. Christon himself then had a near identical effort moments later as a near post corner fell his way.
United should have levelled three minutes later when great play by Baines went unrewarded; the striker showing great strength to turn his man before drilling a low cross through the area which missed Coulter but was met by the arriving Carl Clay who smashed the ball over the bar with the goal gaping.
The improvement continued as Coulter had two quick chances ? a curling effort which was easily held, then a one-on-one but he couldn?t get a shot away in time. Two minutes later he came forward and cut in from the left but saw his shot roll just wide of the target.
The last five minutes belonged to Leverstock Green once again though and Gorman did all the hard work in producing some great control but could only lob over the bar having sprung from midfield.
Some poor defending from United then allowed Hallissey to waltz his way through the box but Sillitoe closed down the shot at the near post, as Aylesbury were grateful to get to the half time break.
Half-time: Aylesbury 0-1 Leverstock Green
After the interval there was disappointingly no great improvement to Aylesbury?s play as they continued to struggle when in possession, with a lack of width and a lack of creativity the main issues.
Gordon tried to repeat his goalscoring antics of the weekend but Tasker was up to task of simply catching the curling effort. At the other end Aylesbury had to be alert to clear the ball off the line from Lee Bircham?s powerful header.
Quite out of nowhere, Aylesbury did grab an equaliser. A clearance from Mulholland caught out the visiting defence and the ball wasn?t cut out as it travelled 50 yards and set Coulter clean through. He kept his composure to finish past Tasker and give the Ducks parity. 1-1
Both sides made substitutions with Garcia and Jones both entering the fray for Aylesbury, but it was Leverstock?s changes that had the desired impact as former United man Lewis Pritchard joined their attack and he soon forced a near post save from Sillitoe.
The resulting corner kick was catastrophic from the Ducks? point of view as Butler slipped in striking his first effort, which was blocked, but was still allowed time to pick himself up and crash the ball into the net from close range. 2-1 Leverstock Green
Aylesbury had been on level terms for just eight minutes, and it was about to get even worse as a minute later that man Pritchard popped up to head into the net from 3-yards after Sillitoe could only palm away Austin?s cross-cum-shot. 3-1 Leverstock Green
The goal sealed the result and although Acheampong hit the post and Coulter went close late on, Leverstock also had a great chance with Sillitoe required to make a good save to deny Pinching and the Ducks bowed out of the competition.
