Aylesbury FC’s glamour tie against MK Dons took place after former Leeds and England striker Alan Smith pleaded with the referee for it to go ahead.
FC’s hopes of a giant killing were dashed as Dons ran out comfortable 4-0 winners in the Berks & Bucks Cup second round but it faced being cancelled for the second week in a row.
Smith, player-manager for the evening and supported from the sidelines by first-team coach and Arsenal legend Ian Wright insisted the game went ahead.
Boss Craig Faulconbridge said: “When it looked like it might not have been going ahead, Alan said to the ref ‘come on let’s get it on and let’s get it done’.”
It was a relief for the Moles who had packed out Haywood Way with more than 300 fans.
Faulconbridge who lined up at the back said both Smith and Wright were ‘really nice guys’ and took the time to chat with fans and FC players.
However, he insisted none of his team were star struck and from the first whistle that was clearly the case.
“Everyone had that desire to play the best they could. We got at them.”
FC created the best of early opportunities with Matarr Touray flicking the ball beyond MK’s keeper only for his effort not to have the legs.
However, MK took a sudden lead as Daniel Powell robbed FC’s dawdling keeper Simeon Charles to dispatch with ease.
Despite the mistake Faulconbridge refused to blame Charles and praised him for his ‘world class’ saves throughout.
FC held tight but with energy starting to wane MK doubled their lead straight after the break from Charlie MacDonald.
With time ticking away Brian Haule squandered a wonderful chance as he shot wildly wide from the spot.
And with minutes left England under-16 international Giorgio Rasulo grabbed a brace to add gloss to the scoreline.
Despite the score Faulconbridge (speaking before last Saturday’s game against Guildford City) said playing well against league opposition had made his team feel as if they are ‘immortal’.