Another season, another trip to the New Eyrie in Bedford, and another miserable 90 minutes for the Ducks. Having said that, a 4-1 scoreline flattered Bedford and had Aylesbury been a little sharper both defensively and in attack, then a result was there for the taking.

The game started in the worst possible manner for the Ducks, as Bedford, having had a couple of early warning efforts, were a goal up inside eight minutes. A corner was scrambled into touch by the backline, and from the resulting long throw Daniel French was given room to half-volley the ball into the net. 1-0 Bedford

Aylesbury had an excellent chance for an equaliser at the other end, as Dean Canoville found himself unmarked from a Danny Grieves free-kick, but managed to place his header wide with the whole goal to aim at.

Bedford were keeping the ball well, and the Ducks defence were being cruelly exposed for pace time and time again. However, going forward things were more promising. An Alving Bubb run and cross saw Canoville get a header in at goal. Unfortunately his effort was straight at the keeper, allowing Ian Brown to make the save, albeit a good one.

Soon after the other Dean, Dean Coppard, rose and got a clean header from another Grieves free-kick, and once more the effort should at least have worked the keeper. Chris Bangura was then given the time and space to flick the ball up and hit it on the turn. The ball dropped just wide as every player stood and watched.

One low point of the match was an injury sustained to Matt Hayward in the 37th minute, which had the defender in evident pain. The injury is reported to be a locked knee, and resulted in the need for an ambulance. Hayward was replaced by assistant manager Steve Gallen for his Ducks debut.

With half-time approaching, Aylesbury would have been happy to go in with a 0-1 deficit. Bedford had other ideas though, and a mis-judgement by Karl Ready allowed the ball to travel across goal, before being slid home by Drew Roberts. 2-0 Bedford

Aylesbury refused to let their heads drop though, and went about reducing the deficit. They got their reward five minutes into first half injury time, as Chris Bangura raced onto a loose backpass. Although his first effort was blocked by the keeper, he got a lucky bounce and the ball went into the net. 2-1 Bedford

Half-time: Bedford 2-1 Aylesbury

The renewed optimism from the team in Green was carried into the start of the second half, as Canoville broke free after being fed by Bangura. Unfortunately his shot was weak under pressure from the chasing defenders. Bedford nearly scored another as a corner was headed goalwards, only to be blocked on the line by Adam Campion.

After an hour, the Ducks were struggling to get the goal they were looking for, and couldn't get going at all. Chances were few and far between, and it was Bedford who were looking most likely to score.

The third Bedford goal came after 74 minutes, after Liam Folds wasn't closed down on the edge of the area, and he managed to thump the ball into the top corner. 3-1 Bedford

Now the game really was settled, and despite their hard work, Aylesbury just couldn't do anything to threaten Bedford. Despite a number of substitutions to try and bring life into the team, barely another chance came the way of the Ducks.

To add extra embarassment for Chris Boothe's side, a woeful backpass by Ready was gathered up by Mark Reed, who delicately lobbed the helpless Adam Wheeler. 4-1 Bedford

So, the question on everyone's lips, will the Ducks ever win at the New Eyrie?! Well, not before our defence tightens up anyway.