A 77th minute Hillingdon Borough penalty meant Aylesbury were denied a win in their first away league match of the season as the sides drew 1-1 at Middlesex Stadium.
The Ducks were without holidaying Paul Edgeworth, meaning Ben Baines came into midfield in the only change from Wednesday’s win over Stotfold.
It was Aylesbury who edged ahead with just eight minutes on the clock. Steve Hatch played a dangerous curling ball into the box which Karl Bull could only divert into his own net. 1-0 Aylesbury
Both Joey Acheampong and Stacey Field had chances to extend the scoring either side of the goal, Acheampong unable to turn in after John Mulholland headed Bircham’s ball back across goal whilst Field headed a cross well over the bar.
United weren’t able to maintain their early charge though, as they came up against Hillingdon’s brand of neat football and attacking movement which Aylesbury never truly got a grip on.
Rhys Price ran through in the 14th minute only to be foiled by a save from Jack Sillitoe, and it wasn’t to be the last time the Ducks stopper was to save his side.
A minute later he made a superb diving save to tip the ball wide from Bradley Hand’s towering header, Lee Armitt unable to score from the resulting corner as he somehow headed wide.
Sillitoe was on hand again as Aylesbury continued to hang on, this time palming the ball away after Murray Williamson struck a shot on the turn.
It was even the goalkeeper who set up United’s best remaining chance of the half when his kick from hands came all the way through for Ian Cooper, but he could only direct the ball over the bar with only Inch to beat.
Borough went close again when Price ran onto a long ball, brushed off Hatch before firing in a shot which hit the outside of the post on its way behind.
More pressure followed: a short corner headed wide beyond the far post after the Ducks were caught napping, and a swirling high ball slung into the box punched up before being claimed by Sillitoe.
In the final ten minutes of the half United had a rare effort as Acheampong’s driven shot was hacked off the line, with a follow up effort by Field also blocked.
With little further action it was Aylesbury who made it to the interval with their noses in front, though they could hardly claim it was a deserved lead on the balance of first half play.
Half-time: Hillingdon 0-1 Aylesbury
Unfortunately for Aylesbury, the second half started with more of the same from their hosts – who threatened early on through Armitt who latched onto a flick on but lashed well over the bar. Then, Armitt was on the end of a miss-hit shot by Price but saw his shot charged down by Jack Wood.
All United had to show for their first fifteen second half minutes were long range efforts from Zac Reynolds which never looked like threatening Inch’s goal, before a decent effort by Warren Garcia was spilled by the keeper with no-one able to follow-up.
Hillingdon had a great chance again when Armitt was played through, but he almost comically screwed the ball wide with the goal gaping and only a sprawling Sillitoe to beat. Prior to that Aylesbury had a let off when Sillitoe punched the ball on to Price’s head – with the ball ricocheting narrowly over the bar.
The home side finally deservedly drew level with 13 minutes remaining. Lee Bircham handled a point blank range header and referee Reid had no hesitation pointing to the spot – to Bircham’s dismay. Up stepped Armitt to send Sillitoe the wrong way. 1-1
Corner kicks were one of United’s strengths last season, but so far this campaign they have disappointed, and after another delivery from Bircham went to waste the set piece frustration continued.
It was Borough who had the best chance to snatch a winner when Hiblin beat Mulholland and Wood to cut the ball back from the byeline for Armitt but his finish was poor and scuffed badly wide.
It duly finished 1-1 and Aylesbury will be glad to get away with the point, and looking at the positives an away point in tough conditions was well earned. Whether it will be a case of two points dropped or one point gained will only tell with time.
