By Paul McGeary
Aycliffe nabbed the points when substitute Chase McMullen's left wing free kick evaded everyone in the area and bounced in off the back post with just two minutes remaining on the clock.
In front of a crowd of 243, both teams cancelled each other out in a cagey affair and neither really looked like scoring until McMullen's intervention.
Centre half Michael Hedley had two showings for the visitors, heading first over the bar when well placed from a right wing corner after 67 minutes and then with 20 minutes remaining, a long punt forward fortuously fell at the gangly defender's feet but his left foot shot was blocked by the impressive Scott Pocklington in the home net.
Pocklington's handling all evening was exemplerary as he looks to establish himself as the club's first choice 'keeper.
Fred Woodhouse should have scored as early as the fourth minute, taking one too many touches at the vital time just yards from goal allowing Pocklington's opposite number, Scott Cresswell the time and opportunity to beat the former Stockton Town striker's tame effort away.
After 66 minutes Whickham had great claims for a penalty when Scott Robson looked to be fouled in the area by Michael Heckley. Referee Mr Marr remained unfazed by the shouts and gave a corner instead. Allan Oliver later admitted his side were fortunate to escape the claims.
With 14 minutes remaining, Dan Mellanby, introduced from the bench for Warren Byrne before the hour, had a great chance to open the scoring when played through superbly by Paul Stout. The ex-Darlington front man slipped at the pivotal moment though and his 12-yard shot sailed high over the bar.
With time running out, Aycliffe got a free kick some 25-yards from goal, out on the touchline. McMullen swung the ball into the box and without touching a single body in the crowd, the ball sprung up and in off the back post to the home side's delight. Of the four goals Aycliffe have netted so far this campaign, three have come from players introduced from the bench.
Elliot Gardner should have sealed victory a minute later, but he screwed Mellanby's centre well wide of goal from just five-yards out.
This was the sort of game Aycliffe were losing last year, so positives have to be taken from the night, but a lesson in clinical finishing might be the order of the day when the squad take to the training field again.
Next time out - Thornaby (a) Sat 14th August, 3pm. sNL2

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