Aylesbury reached their first cup final for eight years with an accomplished display at Ascot United that saw them beat the FA Vase quarter finalists 2-0 at their Racecourse ground, with Ben Butler scoring both goals.

In a match remarkably similar to the Ducks’ previous two outings, an overall command of the match wasn’t secured until a second goal arrived in stoppage time – Butler grabbing his second in the 91st minute after opposing goalkeeper Chris Grace had gone up to attack a corner kick.

Aylesbury produced a performance of verve and high energy, defending resolutely, creating chances and pressing high up the pitch, with the latter creating the first goal as the home side were closed down.

Proceedings started at a slow canter before some early pressure on the Aylesbury goal saw Rob Saunders strike a dipping free kick effort that Jack Sillitoe had to touch over the bar, before successive corners followed that the Ducks defended vigilantly.

The second Ascot corner lead to a swift counter attack – the greens’ pace on the break a regular threat to hosts – from which Stacey Field couldn’t get a shot away, but a minute later and a similar move saw Paul Edgeworth’s ball set Field racing away. He rode keeper Grace’s challenge for the ball but could only slot it wide from a difficult angle.

After their nervy start, the Ducks were growing into the game well and Field had a further attempt after winning the ball from a defender, cutting inside and firing over, before he got the better of the defence again and played the ball through for Austin to have a low shot well saved by Grace tipping the ball wide.

The game was then held up for a second lengthy stoppage for injury as Joe Yeates received treatment for a late challenge, adding to that received in the first five minutes by Shane Wood having been clattered by a late ‘shoulder barge’. Yeates was later forced out of the game, but not before Aylesbury had taken the lead…

As the home side were hounded into losing the ball, it popped up nicely for Ben Butler to crack a fabulous shot from just outside the box that beat Grace and dipped just under the crossbar. 1-0 Aylesbury

After Yeates was replaced by James Brazier, Ascot had the ball in Aylesbury’s box for what was the first time in a long time when a right wing cross was met with an unfortunate air kick by Saunders. Saunders should have then done better in stoppage time with a well placed free-kick that he blazed over the bar.

Prior to that the Ducks had the ball in the net again when a quickly taken free kick allowed Austin to gallop free down the left, his shot beaten away by Grace and tapped in by Field who was – inconclusively according to those closest to the incident – adjudged to be offside, and Aylesbury had to content themselves with the narrowest of half time leads.

Half-time: Ascot 0-1 Aylesbury

Making six changes to their FA Vase team minimised the expected weariness after the weekend’s gruelling 260-mile journey (after extra time) for Ascot, and the second half saw the hosts have more chances, but there was no denying Aylesbury were in control.

The Ducks had three chances to score in the first five minutes as Jack Wood set himself up for a 25-yarder that went over, before next playing in Austin who in turn passed across goal for Field who couldn’t make proper contact. Austin then tried for goal himself as he ran against the defence but pulled his shot wide.

There was a moment of danger at the other end when Ian Brooks cut inside from the left flank and shot just past the dive of Sillitoe, but in truth it was something of a rarity as Aylesbury continued to create and waste openings.

A Field ball across the pitch found Austin who cut it back perfectly for Butler but his 15-yard shot was tame and straight at the keeper, and another swift break saw Austin get away again – down the left this time – before firing into the side netting.

Ascot were guilty of not making the most of their own opportunities, particularly from set pieces, highlighted by a number of poor corners and one dangerously placed free kick on the corner of the area which Saunders got all wrong, his low delivery easily hacked away.

From that, Aylesbury countered, and Field’s pass set Austin away and as he rounded the keeper he was obstructed – referee Mr Moore bringing play back and showing a yellow card to the offender. Like the home side’s effort shortly before, this was also squandered as Daniel Jones fired straight into the wall, with Edgeworth prodding the rebound wide.

Only some wayward finishing preserved the slender lead as Lee Boon turned John Mulholland inside out before firing just wide from inside the box.

It served as a warning that this tie wasn’t over, but Aylesbury were quickly causing trouble in the Ascot box as Austin escaped the defence yet again but saw his shot palmed away by Grace, where it fell to Jack Wood who unable to turn the ball home.

As another gilt-edged chance went begging, it seemed like the travelling Ducks might be looking a gift horse in the mouth! Butler squared the ball for Austin whose low drive was well kept out by Grace, but the ball fell kindly for the Aylesbury man but this time he struck the underside of the bar

With twenty minutes remaining the Ducks were still well in command, Mulholland firing wide beyond the far post and Edgeworth seeing a header plucked out of the air.

Ascot’s cause was further hampered when, having used all of their substitutes, Justin Clayton picked up an injury forcing the hosts to play the remainder with ten-men.

Two Jack Wood shots came to nothing, before Edgeworth became the latest man who should have scored when he looked odds on to find the net but shot over the bar from Austin’s pull back.

As in Aylesbury’s last two matches, late drama was to come which eventually culminated in a stoppage time goal. Boon won his side a corner which – with keeper Grace offensively stationed – was half cleared, and when the ball was played back in Mulholland hideously miscued with the ball spinning just past his own near post.

The second delivery – with Grace still up in attack – was a disappointment in keeping with the standard of the home side’s set plays all night.

It cost them dearly as Aylesbury at last made one of their counter attacks pay dividends. The ball was moved swiftly forward, with Field providing the final pass to Butler who, 10-yards into the Ascot half, fired a shot that had just enough power and just enough accuracy to trickle over the line and secure the tie without the need for a photo finish. 2-0 Aylesbury

There was still time for another attempt as Ben Baines’s curler from the edge of the box was caught by Grace.

Full time was duly blown, and cue joyous scenes from Aylesbury players and supporters alike able to celebrate their first appearance in a cup final since 2005.