Following the frustrating and disappointing early exit from the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, the Ducks made a number of changes for the visit of 2nd in the table Biggleswade FC. Jack Hopwood returned in goal, while Liam Batchelor-Morgan started at right back, with Luke Martin moving to centre back in place of the unavailable Jack Wood. Further forward, Jed Layman, Pow Raposo and Brandon Green all started, in place of the injured Hayden Beadle, Leandro Jardim and Rocko Tamplin, the latter 2 taking a place on the subs bench.

Biggleswade, on a good run of form which has seen them climb the table, started well. In the 15th minute, a ball played inside to Alex Marsh saw the visiting skipper fouled by Martin 20 yards out. Marsh took the free kick himself, but saw his effort rebound to safety off the defensive wall.

Four minutes later, a good pass forward by skipper for the day Charley Tuttle picked out Raposo; the ball was laid back to Remel Larwood, who saw his shot from 30 yards comfortably claimed by the visiting keeper Blade Earley.

The visitors took the lead in the 21st minute, in disappointing fashion for the Ducks. A corner from the right by Charlie Hayford was cleared by Green, but it went straight back to Hayford. His second cross found Marsh, who turned it in from 8 yards out. 1-0 Biggleswade

The Ducks scored a fantastic equaliser on 43 minutes; a foul 30 yards out by Hayford on Garcia saw Tuttle step up and curl a peach of a shot from 30 yards, leaving Earley helpless. 1-1

Half-time: Aylesbury 1-1 Biggleswade

A half time change saw Jake Bewley introduced in place of Ben Peters, with the Ducks switching to 3 at the back to match the formation of the visitors.

In the 52nd minute, Tuttle and Layman challenged Sonny Coughlin-Brown, with the ball running free to Marsh; the skipper moved the ball inside to Rio Martucci, who shot from 25 yards, but saw his shot saved low at the foot of Hopwood’s right-hand post. Three minutes later, a clearance was mis kicked by Fabian Garcia back towards his own goal; the ball fell to Peter Holmes, who saw his shot from 20 yards well saved by Hopwood.

The Waders retook the lead just pas t the hour mark, when Temi Akinbusoye made a strong run into the penalty area, whereupon referee Josh Burns adjudged he was fouled from behind by Martin, awarding a penalty. Marsh stepped up to smash a fine spot kick into the top corner, giving Hopwood no chance of a save. 2-1 Biggleswade

From the next attack, it was almost a 3rd goal for the visitors, when a deep cross from Sammy Fisher-Diaz was met by Coughlin-Brown, but his header from 15 yards was just wide.

In the 79th minute, good work by Tamplin, on as a substitute, saw him win the ball and pass to Jardim; he passed inside to Benji Kakembo, who turned Billy Baird and saw his shot from 20 yards nestle in the bottom corner of Earley’s net to draw the Ducks level. 2-2

Just as the Ducks faithful thought that we had secured a well earned point against a top side, hearts were broken, when the Waders stole the points in the 87th minute. Martucci did well on the left, before sliding the ball into the path of Luke Oswick; he advanced into the penalty area and fired a shot across Hopwood into the far corner of the goal. 3-2 Biggleswade

Deep into injury time there was a half chance for an equaliser, as Archie Moy took a deep corner, which was met by Kian Henry, but his effort hit the side netting. The last chance came to the visitors, a mix up on half way between Martin and Henry saw Dan Bond clean through, but Hopwood came out well and saved the striker's shot with his feet.

The final whistle was sounded shortly afterwards, leaving the Ducks disappointed, but heartened after a much better performance than Tuesday evening, against a team who leap frogged their rivals to top the League. Next up is a trip to promoted team London Lions on Wednesday evening.