After the extraordinary result last week at Rayners Lane, the Ducks returned to The Meadow, in search of more points to stave off the threat of relegation. The opponents this week were Barton Rovers, sitting just outside the play offs, but with their hopes of joining the end of season knock outs fading. Batch chose to keep an unchanged starting XI, but there were changes on the bench, with reserve goalkeeper Tom Alexander, Abdullah Jellal and Ex Buanga all included, in place of the unavailable George Zammit, Hayden Beadle and Jed Layman.

The home side started brightly on a blustery day, with wind blowing towards the cricket pitch end they were defending. Despite this, they created the first major chance when Sonny French passed to George Cleveland through the centre, whose right foot shot was saved by Matthew Boylan's foot. However, Barton suffered an early setback when goalkeeper Boylan was forced off injured on 23 minutes, and replaced by sub keeper Tyler Josephs.

The visitors capitalised soon after. A defensive miskick on the edge of the penalty area allowed George Joyce to fire a left foot shot into the top corner on 27 minutes. 1-0 Barton

Moments later, a pass from Kian Henry to Lee Stobbs down the right saw the winger pass infield to Cleveland, who advanced towards the penalty area before testing Josephs, who saved well.

A freak second goal arrived on 35 minutes; a soft foul was conceded on the right touchline, which saw Murphy Culkin take a wind?assisted free?kick which drifted over the defence and Jack Hopwood and into the far corner of the net. 2-0 Barton

The Ducks fought back and Rocko Tamplin went close after being fed by French, and Finlay Reeves shot over just before the break, but they went in to halftime trailing.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-2 Barton

The visitors nearly extended their lead immediately after the restart, with Warman shooting narrowly wide at the far post. However, the Ducks responded well, with Reeves forced Josephs into another save on 50 minutes.

But the deficit grew to on 59 minutes when a cross from the right eventually fell to Connor Bernhardt, who tapped in from close range after multiple blocks in the area. 3-0 Barton

A double substitution soon after saw Stobbs and Reeves replaced by James Bone and Liam Batchelor-Morgan.

Despite being 3 goals down, the Ducks refused to fold and started to dominate the game. Tamplin's tenacity created the breakthrough on 66 minutes, winning a tackle before feeding Cleveland, who struck a powerful right foot shot from 20 yards into net. 1-3

Motivated by pulling one back, the Ducks pushed hard for a second. Wood was denied on the line after a scuffed Cleveland effort, and Martin fired over from distance. Their pressure finally told on 82 minutes when Cleveland advanced and clipped a clever ball to Wood, who finished from an acute angle from 10 yards past Josephs to reduce the arrears further and set up a tense finale. 2-3

The Ducks threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, however, the visitors almost sealed the win on the break late on; a break down the left by Miftari saw him cross the ball into the penalty area where it was met by League top scorer Albie Hall, but his headed effort saw Henry produce a remarkable goal?line header, back heading the ball onto the underside of the cross bar, before clearing from danger.

Despite a strong finish and sustained pressure, including having two chances cleared off the line, United were unable to find the leveller, but their second?half performance offered plenty of encouragement. Even better, despite losing the game, results elsewhere actually strengthened the Ducks' position; unbelievably after last week’s great win at Rayners Lane, Enfield were unable to beat the same opposition, losing 3-1 at home to the west London team, and Northwood losing at home to Thame. So, 8 points clear, with a vastly superior GD, and just the 4 games left to play.

Next up, a quick turn round as we visit The ASM Stadium on Easter Monday to play Thame United, who are striving for a place in the play offs. Come along and get behind the team in what will undoubtedly be a tough challenge against the Red Kites.