Coming into the game on the back of gaining a welcome 3 points at Kempston last week, a much tougher proposition lay ahead with the visit of in form Walthamstow, looking to consolidate their place in the promotion play offs.

The Ducks were missing the unavailable Mark Riddick and Ezra Anthonio-Forde, along with the injured David Pitt, meaning a first start for Jaime Obama and a recall to the starting line up for Sonny French.

The high-flying visitors came close to opening the scoring in the 3rd minute, a corner delivered to the near post was met by Duncan Culley, but he could only steer his effort into the side netting.

The Ducks had a chance of their own from a corner 5 shortly afterwards, this time Obama’s delivery was met by David Lynn 10 yards out, but his header flashed wide of the near post.

On the quarter hour, a clearance by Anthony Ball was intercepted by Caollan McGettigan, who made good ground down the left before finding team mate Bilal Sayoud, but his sharp effort was blocked by the legs of Jack Hopwood.

The visitors took the lead in the 23rd minute, as Obama was dispossessed on the left, allowing Saoud to cross to Culley 12 yards out. Hopwood did well to save his first effort, but the ball fell back to the striker, who made no mistake with his second opportunity. 1-0 Walthamstow

Ten minutes later and the lead could have been doubled; Etan Holt was robbed of the ball by Kieran Turner who fed Sayoud on the left side of the penalty area, but again, Hopwood came to the rescue saving his effort at the concession of a corner.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-1 Walthamstow

Thankful to go into half time with just the one goal deficit, Manager Jack Wells made a change at the start of the second period, Tyriq Hunte replacing Harry Jones in an attempt to inject life into the attack. Hunte was involved from the off, a cross into the big striker was laid off to Holt, who set up Ben Seaton for a shot from 20 yards, but his effort was straight at Bradley Robinson, who made a comfortable save.

Just before the hour, a corner from the right by Damaray Anyadike found Carl Mensah 12 yards out, but his header flashed wide of the post.

With 15 minutes to go, the match took a turn for the worse for the Ducks, as a through ball saw Culley clear of the defence; Hopwood came out to win the ball, but the striker got there first, poking the ball past the keeper, before drawing the foul, which saw Hopwood given a red card by referee Thomas Whay. With no specialist keeper on the bench, Anthony Ball donned the keepers shirt and gloves.

Two minutes after the sending off, the visitors extended their lead and put the game beyond the Ducks. A fine cross from full back Kai Davis was met by a thundering header from substitute Percival Winter, giving Ball no chance. 2-0 Walthamstow

The game played out with little more in the way of goal mouth action, condemning the Ducks to defeat, and leaving them looking nervously over their shoulders at the clubs below. Next up is a trip to play Hadley on Tuesday evening.