Shocked by the decision of Vic Bird to join Leytonstone, the Dons did enough to jump the first hurdle in the race to win the 1951 Amateur Cup. The visitors were making their first appearance in the first round proper of the completion having already knocked out four sides, including Athenian League Finchley, to reach this stage. Lacking a finishing touch in the first half during which Haydock had to fling himself full length to keep out a hard drive from Brian Diggins, the hosts made their possession pay after the break when their two most prolific goal-scorers were on target once again.