On the back of an encouraging performance last time out against Hertford, manager Dave Tuttle was able to welcome Kian Henry back into the starting line up after injury, with Will St Clair moving into midfield, while Luqman Kassim also returned, changes which saw Ben Peters and Kwai Marsh Brown starting the game on the bench.

The hosts started the game well, a deep cross from Joshua Francis found Daniel Lodovica on the left side of the penalty area, who saw his shot from 15 yards fly wide of the goal. Lodovica had a better chance 5 minutes later, when he collected a long diagonal from Dempsey Thomas, before cutting inside Liam Batchelor-Morgan and firing in a shot that sailed just over the crossbar.

The first chance for the Ducks came just before the quarter hour; Batchelor-Morgan won the ball in a challenge with Lodovica on the half-way line before finding Hashii Morrison on the right. He spread the ball to Kassim on the opposite flank, who beat Francis before shooting from the edge of the penalty area, but saw his shot slice horribly wide.

The next attack saw Stotfold win a corner, which was taken by Haroon Meriai; when the ball was cleared back to him, his second cross fell to Thomas who struck a firm shot from 12 yards, which Jack Hopwood did very well to beat away.

Just before half time Lodovica played a ball infield to Meriai, who hit a speculative shot from 35 yards which was wide of the target.

Half-time: Stotfold 0-0 Aylesbury

The Ducks, no doubt fired up after a half time pep talk, started the second period well; Henry played a fine long ball which Kamil Zielinski did well to win ahead of James Peters. He played the ball to Hashii 30 yards from goal, who hit a fine left foot shot which keeper Alex Street did well to save for a corner.

The hosts took the lead in the 54th minute, in slightly fortuitous circumstances; a pass down the left found Lodovica, who cut inside Batchelor-Morgan before finding Meriai 12 yards from goal, whose mis-hit shot wrong footed Hopwood to find the corner of the net. 1-0 Stotfold

Just before the hour mark and the lead could have doubled. Haziz Kone lost the ball in the centre circle allowing Kane to make good ground before passing to Lewis Lynn who broke into the penalty area, but saw his shot well saved by Hopwood.

On 68 minutes substitute Codi-Lee Spavins did well to beat Jake Bewley on the left, before firing in a low cross to fellow sub Joseph Sellers-West, who tried an audacious back heel attempt, which Hopwood saved. Two minutes later Meriai collected the ball in the centre circle in space and passed to Lodovica wide on the left; he broke into the penalty area and shot towards the near post where Hopwood made a smart save.

Ten minutes from the end, Batchelor-Morgan did well on the right before cutting across the pitch. The ball found its way to Hashii on the left, who crossed to Zielinski at the far post, but his header lacked power and was easily saved by Street.

With the clock on 87 minutes, the Ducks won a free kick 30 yards out after a foul on Hashii. Bewley stepped up to take the free kick, but his shot was straight at Street who was happy to clutch the ball to his midriff.

As the game entered added on time, the Ducks had a golden chance to draw level; a deep free kick from Bewley was chested down well by Zielinski who drew Street from his line, before clipping a shot goalwards, but Lynn did very well to get back and clear the ball off the line.

So, a disappointing afternoon for the Ducks, where a lack of attacking intent was the main reason for dropping 3 points. Not long to wait to get ‘back on the horse’ though, as we visit surprise table toppers Hadley on Tuesday, who are fresh from an impressive 4 - 1 win over Berkhamsted today.