In a game dubbed ‘The battle of the Moles’ it was the Buckinghamshire variety that triumphed over their Surrey rivals to set up a first round tie against Harlow Town.

Even the most loyal Molesey fan would be hard-pressed to argue that they deserve to be in the next round having been thoroughly out-played during the opening period to trail 2-0 at the break.

They launched an unlikely comeback in the second half to draw level, conceded a quickfire double, and then almost launched an even more unlikely comeback in the closing stages in what was an enjoyable encounter.

Dre Grobler started in defence in place of Ryan David in the only change to the side that beat East Grinstead Town in midweek, with injury depriving them off Rhys Paul, Ronald Sobowale and Ato Okai.

On a pitch that didn’t look like it had seen a lawnmower for quite some time it was the hosts that were faster out the blocks, with Liam Allen saving from Shayne Almond, and the same player then dragged wastefully wide.

A goal was coming. However, there was an element of fortune to it as Taylor Roles’ interception fell kindly for Ty Deacon to slot past Allen on fourteen minutes.

Allen denied Deacon and Brian Haule as the hosts dominated, and it didn’t take them long to add a second, although once again fortune once again played its part.

Deacon got the better of Grobler and from the tightest of angles managed to chip Allen and find the top corner.

Was it a shot or was it a cross? Only Deacon will know for sure (it was a cross), but what wasn’t in doubt was that the hosts deserved their two goal cushion.

Despite the tireless probing of Ashley Lodge there was precious little action to speak of at the opposite end, with Manny Quarshie’s deflected effort the closest Molesey came.

Allen again denied Almond just before the break, and then moments after the re-start the same played curled an effort agonisingly wide from 25 yards.

It proved to be a turning point, as soon afterwards the otherwise impressive Anthony Ball’s clumsy challenge on Olu Akinsanya in the box threw the visitors a lifeline. Antonio Simeone swept home the penalty.

Molesey’s second effort on target just two minutes later brought them level. Again Simeone played his part with a driving run down the left, and the ball was eventually fed to Akinsanya, who smashed into the top corner from an unfavourable angle.

It was a scarcely believable scoreline, and it almost got even better but Jordan Jenkins just about cut out a cross from substitute Ashby Charles, denying Quarshie an almost-certain tap in.

Jenkins was then to provide a telling contribution at the other end, pouncing on a loose ball to restore Aylesbury’s lead after a corner had only been partially cleared.

Quarshie then headed Craig Lewington’s deflected effort over the bar as Molesey chased another equaliser, but Aylesbury restored their two goal lead when Almond got the goal his performance deserved after the Molesey defence had once again been cut open.

Charles and fellow substitute Tayo Oyebola added some pace and energy to Molesey’s attack, and Oyebola hooked in a volley on 88 minutes to give the visitors hope of a second unlikely comeback of the afternoon.

During the five minutes of stoppage time Molesey launched plenty of throws and set pieces into the Aylesbury box, and had the ball fallen more kindly for them during a number of scrambles they might well have forced a scarcely deserved replay.

After a first half to forgot Pete Lelliott can at least be pleased with the character shown by his team in the second period.

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