Aylesbury's 2007/08 FA Cup campaign got off to a stuttering, but eventually victorious, start in the Preliminary round against Newport Isle of Wight.
Both teams started brightly, and Jamie O'Grady saw a snapshot parried by goalkeeper Jamie Bray inside five minutes whilst at the other end Sam Hart rode a challenge before playing in Darren Powell but his effort was deflected by a last ditch challenge by Kevin Mealor.
And for the third time already this season, the Ducks were a goal down inside the first 10 minutes. Returning goalkeeper Tom Vincent made a mess of attempting to punch a corner clear, and the ball was headed back into the box by White and into the net by Powell. 1-0 Newport
Newport's lead lasted barely three minutes though when Craig Henney was fed with a perfectly weighted through ball, and he easily outpaced the visitors' backline and finished with aplomb past Bray. 1-1
O'Grady went close with a skimming header after good work down the left by Henney and Goss allowed the latter to beat his man and hang up an inviting cross.
Henney was having a field day against Newport's sluggish defence, and as he sprinted clear of Nathan Kill he picked out O'Grady who went close again, this time with a lofted effort that dropped just over.
United kept up the pressure on their opponent's goal, and Callum Lewis was forced to head over his own bar after Goss had beaten his man and played another dangerous cross.
It wasn't all one way traffic though, and Newport came back into the game towards the end of the first half. A speculative 40-yard chip nearly caught Vincent out, and the back peddling stopper had to turn the ball wide to save his blushes.
Five minutes later United found themselves struggling to deal with a quick Newport counter, and were briefly found five against two at the back, but forward Mark Watson was probably caught in two minds with so many options and eventually shot wide.
The warning signs were in place for the Ducks, and Kill headed a right wing cross just wide on 31 minutes.
And not even five minutes later Newport grabbed the lead again. Another corner was defended poorly by the Ducks, and Powell was on hand to turn the ball home for his second goal. 2-1 Newport
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-2 Newport
Aylesbury emerged after the interval in determined fashion and quickly set about taking control of the game. Stevens shot over the bar, O'Grady headed wide of the post and Goss curled a free-kick over the bar in early statements of intent.
The second equaliser of the day wasn't long in coming either. With 53 minutes on the clock Liburd's deep free kick delivery caused mayhem in the box, and Carl Kavanagh claimed the last touch as the ball evaded Bray on its' way in. 2-2
United began to turn the screw on their opponents and Nathan Graham flashed a header wide. Two minutes later Kevin Mealor's cross at the second attempt was headed just wide by Kavanagh.
Weary looking Newport never posed a genuine threat in the second period, and their only effort on goal came courtesy of a free-kick. Watson's initial effort rebounded off the wall before he slashed well wide with his second try.
Meanwhile the Ducks were still eagerly looking to take the lead for the first time of the afternoon. A corner dropped to Henney but he blazed well over on the volley before Graham collected the ball in the area but also fired over.
With the best move of the game United deservedly took the lead. O'Grady released Graham down the right and he in turn picked out Henney on the edge of the area. The livewire striker turned and picked his spot for his second of the match. 3-2 Aylesbury
Aylesbury went close again five minutes from time when O'Grady chased down a dead looking ball on the right and Graham rattled the woodwork with a header from his cross.
There was even more excitement to come in the closing stages, and a goal which defied belief followed.
Taking a free-kick from the 'left-back' position of the field, keeper Bray somehow managed to completely miscue the ball and curl it into his own net for the most comical of own goals. 4-2 Aylesbury
Still the match wasn't over, and an edgy undercurrent which had been developing throughout the second half came to a head with a bout of handbags right on full time, something the referee could have got a grip on much earlier in the game. Instead it resulted in a second yellow for Newport's Jamie White and a straight red card for Aylesbury's Ben Stevens.
That really was the end of an action packed afternoon, and Aylesbury had made hard work of things but got the right result in the end. And with it earned a useful sum of prize money and a trip to old Premier Division rivals Banbury United in the next round.
