Goals from Max Cavani and Derek Feyi, both scoring their first goals for the club, in the first quarter of the match saw the Ducks take a comfortable half time lead. The hosts pulled one back in the 54th minute to set up a nervy second half, but a fine rearguard defensive display saw the Ducks claim all 3 points at AFC Dunstable, despite the blow of going down to 10 men when Tyriq Hunte was dismissed midway through the half after 2 yellow cards

The Ducks started the match strongly with Rocko Tamplin and Hayden Beadle working well together down the left, pulling defenders out of position and creating chances. The first of these came in the 5th minute, the two combining to set up Jack Moriarty for a first time shot from 25 yards, which home keeper Tom Finch did well to save flying to his left.

Two minutes later and the Ducks thought they had taken the lead, Josh Iheanacho playing a crossfield ball to Beadle on the left, who volleyed a cross to the far post to Dave Pearce whose header was clawed away by Finch; Pearce claimed the ball had crossed the line, but to no avail as the officials ordered play to continue.

In the 14th minute Tamplin did well on the left before passing to Pearce who saw his shot from 12 yards palmed away for a corner. Pearce took the corner kick short to Moriarty, before collecting the return ball and crossing into the 6 yard box, where Finch punched clear, but only as far as Derek Feyi on the left side of the penalty area. He volleyed back into the mixer, where Cavani was waiting to head home from close range. 1-0 Aylesbury

Two minutes later and the lead had doubled; Iheanacho found Beadle 25 yards out, whose shot was saved for another corner. Pearce delivered again into the 6 yard box, where Feyi arrived to thunder a header into the roof of the net. 2-0 Aylesbury

The OD’s threatened to reduce the arrears two minutes later, as Rio Deall won the ball from Tamplin in a strong tackle, before passing to top scorer John Shamalo, but his effort from 15 yards was wide of the far post. A short corner routine between Ben Weyman and Tra Lucas saw the former find space for a shot, but it was well saved by James Callan at his near post.

With 10 minutes to half time, the hosts almost equalised, a free kick from 25 yards struck powerfully by Weyman, but he was denied by the finger tips of Callan, touching it on to the cross bar and over. Two minutes later Cameron Cook beat his way through defensive tackles to find himself one on one with Callan, but again the Ducks stopper was equal to the challenge, off his line quickly to smother the shot.

Half-time: AFC Dunstable 0-2 Aylesbury

Into the second half and the hosts, no doubt on the back of some words of wisdom from their coaching team, came out with more energy and intent for the second period. They almost pulled one back soon after the restart, when a cross from the right found Max Rosner unmarked at the far post, but his effort from 10 yards was woeful and didn’t trouble Callan.

They did reduce the arrears in the 56th minute, after good work by Lucas on the left found Shamalo, whose shot from 10 yards was deflected past Callan. 1-2

It was certainly a 'backs against the wall' performance for the remainder of the half for the Ducks defence, as they were forced further back by the passing and movement of the OD’s. Some resolute defending by Feyi, Wood and Lynn restricted the hosts to hopeful shots, with Callan not having too much to deal with himself.

On 70 minutes he was called into action when a free kick from Rosner found Lucas, but his shot from 20 yards was straight at Callan. Tyriq Hunte had been introduced to the game with an hour played, but his main involvement in the match was to receive two quick yellow cards. Firstly he was harshly adjudged to have fouled his defender, shown a yellow for holding onto the ball and preventing the restart, to be followed 10 minutes later by a second yellow for a challenge on Finch as the keeper came out of his box to clear a through ball.

Despite this setback, the Ducks dug deep and continued to repel the OD's attacks, and indeed could have extended their lead with 4 minutes left on the clock. Substitute Alfie Attrill stole the ball from Weyman and exchanged passes with Tamplin on the right, before driving into the penalty area and shooting, only to see his effort drift across goal and out for a goal kick. Back down the other end, two minutes later, Rosner crossed to Weyman at the far post, but his left foot volley was too high to trouble Callan. The final chance came deep into added on time, as Cook picked up the ball 40 yards out and advanced towards goal, but his shot lacked power allowing Callan to make a comfortable save.

The final whistle was blown shortly afterwards, leading to scenes of celebration from the considerable travelling contingent of Ducks supporters, applauding the fine rearguard actions of the team, especially in the last hour, earning the second win of the season. Up next is another away trip, to Waltham Abbey on Sat 14th Oct.