Following the excellent win at AFC Dunstable last week, manager Jack Wells made just one change to the starting line up, restoring Kwai Marsh-Brown to the team, in place of Josh Iheanacho, who took a seat on the bench. One other enforced change to the bench saw Jonas Kalonda come in to replace the suspended Tyriq Hunte.

The hosts started well, Johnny Gill intercepting a clearance before finding Sam Shaban on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot was saved low to his right by James Callan. Shaban had another great chance shortly afterwards, this time Gill combining with right winger Ben Baker to set him up, but his shot was dragged across goal and wide of the far post.

In the 11th minute, a long clearance by goalkeeper Bradley Robinson saw Baler escape away from Jake Bewley and fie in a shot from 20 yards which Callan palmed out, as far as Shaban, who under pressure from Jack Wood could only direct his effort wide of the target.

Practice made perfect though 2 minutes later as a cross from Oluwatamilore Ogunnowo found Shaban free in the 6-yard box and he headed home with ease to open the scoring. 1-0 Waltham Abbey

The first chance for the Ducks came in the 18th minute, as a David Lynn forward pass found Marsh-Brown clear of the defence, but he rushed his effort, screwing it wide of goal.

The hosts doubled the lead in the 19th minute, when a cross by Ogunnowo travelled across to Baker, who hit an unerring shot with the outside of his right foot to find the far corner of the net. 2-0 Waltham Abbey

Shortly afterwards a well delivered free kick by Dave Pearce found Derek Feyi, who returned the ball into the 6-yard box where efforts by both Marsh-Brown and Rocko Tamplin were blocked by some desperate defending before the ball was cleared.

The route back into the game that the Ducks were seeking came in the 27th minute, when a ball from Bewley set Tamplin away from Ayo Tanimowo and into the penalty area. As central defender Andrew Tirivanhu came across to cover, Tamplin showed great composure to clip a shot into the far corner of the net. 1-2

On the half hour, a misplaced pass from Jack Moriarty found Ogunnowo who advanced to 25 yards from goal and shot, but again Callan was equal to his effort, making a fine save. Callan was again to the rescue a minute later, as Shaban flicked the ball on to Gill, but the keeper was out quickly to smother his effort on goal.

The Ducks were indebted to Wood for keeping their goal intact on 35 minutes, when a loose back pass from Bewley collected by Shaban, who rounded Callan, but saw his shot headed off the line superbly by the skipper.

Half-time: Waltham Abbey 2-1 Aylesbury

Into the second half and the Ducks took the initiative, pressing higher and creating chances. The scores were level in the 52nd minute, when Hayden Beadle found Marsh-Brown wide on the right. He played the ball into Tamplin on the edge of the penalty area, who in turn touched the ball to Max Cavana, who fired a shot from 15 yards into the bottom corner of the net. 2-2

Amazingly, given the balance of play in the first half, the Ducks took the lead in the 58th minute; Moriarty picked a pass through the defence to find Beadle clear of the defenders. After looking up to weigh up his options as Robinson advanced off his line, he coolly picked his spot and found the corner of the net. 3-2 Aylesbury

Two minutes later, Shaban had a good chance to equalise; he picked the ball up half way into the Ducks half and beat Wood, before shooting from 20 yards, but Callan made another decent save.

Just past the hour mark and the Ducks had a great chance to extend their lead; Cavana did well down the right flank before finding Pearce, who saw his shot saved, and when the ball rebounded to him, his second effort was blocked and cleared.

With 20 minutes remaining, a corner was headed on at the near post to Tirivanhu at the far post, but he couldn’t get a meaningful touch on the ball. As they did at Dunstable last week, the Ducks were defending well to preserve their lead, but the difference this week being that they were more composed in possession and taking every advantage to break forward instead of simply clearing the ball. However, nerves were on edge with 2 minutes left on the clock, as a cross from Baker on the right was headed out by Feyi, only as far as Tanimowo 20 yards out and in space; however, his shot didn’t trouble Callan, going wide of the near post.

That was to be the last scare and the Ducks held out to claim another vital 3 points on the road. Coming up is a run of 3 matches at home, starting on Saturday with the visit of Hadley, who coincidentally played Waltham Abbey last week, also coming from 2 goals down to win 3 - 2.