They left it very late, but Aylesbury finally broke their four-year winless run in the League Cup with this comeback against landlords Chesham United.
The game had appeared to be going nowhere until the last ten minutes - when the Ducks finally threw caution to the wind, adopted a four-man attack and exerted enough pressure to overhaul the Generals' lead which had been in place since first half stoppage time.
Played in typical League Cup style, the match had all the entertainment value of a pre-season friendly, although being an Aylesbury-Chesham derby there was an edge to proceedings from the off. Carl Kavanagh and Adam Parker both found themselves in Mr Quelch's notebook after just seven minutes following an altercation.
Chesham had the first chance through Danny Talbot, who shimmied and produced a shot which had to be well saved by young Sillitoe - back in goal in one of six team changes as Tony Thompson gave some fringe players a run out. Alvin Inboli and Danny Ripley made their debuts for the club whilst Steve Miles and Adam Cunnington made first starts. Pick of the bunch was Inboli who impressed at right-back and later right-midfield, and Danny Ripley who also made a number of good tackles after coming on.
Chances were scarce, Talbot again trying his luck with a curling effort but this time his effort was charged down.
Aylesbury's first attempt on goal came near the half hour mark when the ball was played into Craig Henney's feet, the striker turning smartly and with a quick shot he tested Richard Hayward who gathered comfortably.
On 28 minutes Danny Burnell replaced fellow forward Phil Turner for the Generals, before they were reduced to ten men. Having been already booked new signing Dave Fotheringham was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge.
The closest the greens came to a first half goal was a free kick effort from Cunnington that whistled over the bar ten minutes before the interval.
But in first half stoppages disaster struck for Aylesbury as ten-man Chesham took the lead. Sillitoe had gotten away with a couple of rash bursts from his goal-line previously, but on this occasion his decision to come was the wrong one and as he miskicked Burnell had the easiest task of rolling the ball into an empty net. 1-0 Chesham
Half-time: Aylesbury 0-1 Chesham
The second half was largely a non-event, neither side seemed able to string more than two passes together and the ball was time and time again launched forwards without thought.
That was until Roni Joe and Nathan Graham entered the fray, and going into the last fifteen minutes the Ducks threw four men up front and at long last exerted some pressure on their opponents.
Yet Chesham could and maybe should have doubled their lead, but Sillitoe made amends for his earlier indiscretion by coming off his line, making himself big, and saving well after Burnell had been put clean through.
Three minutes later and the Ducks had an equaliser. A cross in from the left picked out the well timed leap of Roni Joe, who buried a textbook header into the net. 1-1
Suddenly Aylesbury were pouring forward, and the best move of the game followed. A Chesham attack was broken up by a fine tackle from Danny Ripley, and he released Graham on the right flank who crossed deep for Mealor to volley - just wide of the target.
The chances continued, and Henney connected with a left-wing cross but not well enough to threaten Hayward. Graham had a great chance but saw his effort excellently saved down low by the keeper, before his follow-up was charged down.
Chesham still could have snatched a winner themselves with a late free kick that skimmed off Sam Ledger's head, but went wide of the target.
Instead, it came down to Nick Leach, who with virtually the last action of the game headed home Mealor's driven corner kick to wrap up the comeback and send his side through.
