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Aylesbury went into this home game with Hayes with nothing to lose. Hayes, having been relegated from the Conference last season, had spent most of this campaign in the top ten, therefore any kind of result would surely be a bonus for the Ducks. Having drawn 1-1 with Hayes at Church Lane earlier in the season, however, and following the four points collected over the previous five days, Aylesbury fans had some reason to be optimistic about today?s match.

Steve Cordery made three changes to the starting line-up from the goalless draw away at Enfield ? Steve McGrath, Dwayne Plummer and Craig Maskell coming in at the expense of Artur Correira, Roni Joe and Kezie Ibe.

The first opening of the game fell to Hayes' David Warner following a quick free kick, but he failed to take his capitalise. This would prove to be the away sides' only noteworthy chance of the first period. Aylesbury?s first half-chance fell to Craig Maskell who scuffed his shot straight at Bertrand Bossu with his right foot.

Steve McGrath gave Hayes an early warning of what was to come, as he just failed to reach a Maskell cross. Soon after though, with 11 minutes played, an again unmarked McGrath beat Bossu with a close range header, this time from Fiston Manuella?s cross, to give the Ducks a vital early lead. 1-0 Aylesbury.

Fiston Manuella was booked for a silly challenge from behind, as he took his opponents? legs from underneath him. Fiston was to make another rash challenge later in the half, which saw him on a final warning with quite some time still to play.

The Ducks continued to dominate possession and create half chances ? more than they had done at Enfield on Wednesday. Steve McGrath again had a shot but this time it was wayward. Dwayne Plummer almost ran on to a ball over the top from Phil Dicker, but was beaten by the bounce as the ball was collected by Bossu. If Plummer had got a touch the goalkeeper would surely have been stranded.

Hayes had two players booked in quick succession. First, Kevin Warner was shown the yellow card for a dangerous-looking challenge on Marien Ifura, and could perhaps consider himself lucky not to have been more harshly punished. Michael Currie was also booked following a tussle with Adam Campion.

Aylesbury were looking confident on the ball, with Dwayne Plummer, Craig Maskell and the excellent loan signing Michael Harper linking well and always looking likely to create a second goal. Good work from Harper on the left touchline saw him beat a man before delivering a cross to the far post, which Maskell headed into the path of McGrath (yet again!) who unfortunately could only shoot over the bar. Only a one-goal cushion at half time, but there was little doubt about Aylesbury?s superiority in the first period.

Greg Williams returned to replace Richard Gell in midfield at half time.

United signalled their intentions early in the second half, as Phil Dicker of all people hit a sweetly-struck volley from 25-yards which was well held by the Hayes goalkeeper.

And the all-important second goal did come five minutes after the break. Craig Maskell whipped in a freekick from the right and, yes, Steve McGrath was there to head in his second of the afternoon and fifth of the season. A vital goal as it put the Ducks firmly in the driving seat, and thoroughly deserved it was too. 2-0 Aylesbury.

Another Maskell freekick from the right hand side saw The Fist rise at the near post, but unfortunately his header lacked power and was hooked off the line by a Hayes defender. In the following counter-attack Rob Bixby shot well over for the visitors. Hayes? Mark Molesley also had an effort on goal, but his shot was weak and Lee Worgan dealt with it comfortably.

A clumsy challenge from Fiston Manuella saw him inevitably sent off for a second bookable offence. With 25 minutes to play, this gave Hayes a boost, and their best effort of the match followed when Paul Holsgrove?s stinging long-range shot was touched round the post by Worgan. From the resulting corner, Molesley volleyed wide. Worgan was also forced into a good save by Justin Cochrane?s 20-yard freekick.

However, these long range efforts were as close as Hayes came to scoring. Steve McGrath, who was by now having a field day, came very close to completing a remarkable, but not unwarranted, hat trick, as he headed Maskell?s far post corner inches over the crossbar.

Despite having ten men, Aylesbury managed to score for a third time, with eight minutes remaining. Some great skill from Adam Campion saw him beat two men before eventually being flattened, but not before he had slotted the ball through to Harper, who kept a cool head, passing into the net underneath the hapless Bossu. 3-0 Aylesbury.

An impressive victory over a top ten side, which equals Aylesbury?s biggest league win of the season. The three points also see the Ducks leapfrog Chesham, although Aylesbury remain inside the relegation zone due to other results not going their way. Certainly a performance which suggests the Ducks are well-equipped to avoid relegation in the remaining couple of weeks of the season.