Following on from the 7-2 win against Thame on Easter Monday, Ben Williams kept the same starting line up for this game against second placed Hayes and Yeading on a dry and mild afternoon at the Meadow.

There was also just one change on the bench with Majiec Tajs missing leaving Sonny French, Ollie Stanbridge, Jamie Keen and Archie Davis to complete the squad for the day.

Two ex Ducks were in the Hayes and Yeading line up with Ryan Kinane and Zaki Oualah featuring.

With confidence high from the recent run of good results the Ducks made a good start forcing early corners. An early tactic appeared to be to crowd Zaki in the Hayes goal but neither of the two corners were delivered with the quality needed to cause him a problem from the initial cross. A third corner provided the first chance of the game as the ball came out to Ben Seaton who fired in a shot that Zaki covered comfortably.

It is a testament to the improvement in the team that the Ducks were the better team in the first half with Hayes reduced to firing long balls up to their two powerful strikers, Manny Duku and Duncan Culley, who have 54 goals between them this season. Indeed, it wasn't until the 24th minute thaat hayes threatened the Ducks goal with a strike that was deflected for their first corner of the game.

It was shortly afterwards that the breakthrough came. Jeanmal Prosper had been a real thorn in Hayes side with his trademark forward runs and he was the furthest forward when a cross from the left found Jeanmal and Hayes defender Tom Smith challenging for the ball. Both players went down in the box, Aylesbury claiming a penalty and Hayes claiming a head injury to Smith and asking for the game to be stopped. The referee Mr Creswick turned down both appeals and as the ball returned to the box Jeanmal tried to tiptoe past his markers before being tripped. This time Mr Creswick did point to the spot.

Ollie Hogg cooly despatch the spot kick sending Zaki the wrong way to claim his 6th goal of the season and to put the Ducks 1-0 ahead. 1-0 Aylesbury

Ten minutes later the Ducks were appealing for another penalty. A Ben Seaton volley was well parried by Zaki with the ball falling to Aaron Berry who appeared to be pushed over. However, the penalty appeal was short lived as the linesman had flagged Aaron offside.

Shortly before half time, Hayes had their best chance to bring the game level when Duku knocked the ball down to Spyros Mentis who in turn fed Duncan Culley, his first time shot beat Jack in the Ducks goal but also beat the far post by a matter of inches to send the Ducks in at half time a goal to the good.

Half-time: Aylesbury 1-0 Hayes & Yeading

As expected, Hayes came out for the second half with their managers words ringing in their ears and set about putting the Ducks on the back foot. Chances were few and far between for both sides with the game becoming a long ball affair for both sides with the defences generally coming out on top. It would have been a blow to Hayes to lose Duncan Culley to an injury on 66 minutes being replaced by Ishmael Ehui but was he who had the best chance of the second half.

Toby Little sent in a cross from the left that was fumbled under pressure by Hopwood, the ball going to Ehui who from a yard out managed to head against the crossbar with Callum Mapley heading away to clear the danger and ensure the Ducks held on for another impressive three points.

This win takes us to 49 points and secures us in 13th place in the table. All credit must go to Ben, his management team and the squad for the remarkable turn round in results over the last few months. Four hard matches to go starting at leaders Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday and while it is a tough ask, 9 more points would give us our best points total since returning the the Southern League.