The Ducks took on Ford United in search of their first home win in three months, in desperate need of some points for the board. Ford had themselves come off the back of a poor 0-4 defeat at Bishop's Stortford.
Kevin Wilson made two alterations to the team - on-loan from Northampton Mark Bunn made his debut in goal, and Josh Sozzo returned to the midfield, with Lewis Reid reverting to a right-back role.
The game got off to a bright start, as Mervyn Abraham, looking suspiciously offside, sprung free of the Aylesbury defence, and only a desperate last ditch tackle from Chris Jackson saved yet another early concession.
For once it was the Ducks who got off the mark early, with a somewhat bizarre goal. Ford's Simon Clarke struggled to keep the ball in play on the nearside, and only succeeded in losing posession to Mark Reed. The striker raced forward down the flank, before delivering a pinpoint cross for Lynch, who headed the ball goalwards. It appeared that Jamie Lunan had pulled off a miracle save, and amidst no protests the linesman flagged to signal the goal. 1-0 Aylesbury
The game settled down into a pattern of scrappiness for a ten-minute period after the goal, as both sides struggled. Ford came close through Abraham, who shot on the turn just wide.
Mark Reed should have doubled the Ducks' lead on the half-hour, as he used his pace to break free of the defence, before trying to round the keeper. Sadly, he took the ball one step too far, and could only hold it up before crossing for Aaran Cavill, who skied his left-footed volley.
Greg Williams was forced to limp out of the action towards the end of the half, to be replaced by Tom Ramasut.
In the last few minutes of the first half, it was the substitute who came closest to scoring. First he latched onto a half-cleared free-kick, before driving the ball in low, but saw the shot held by Lunan. Next he tried a right-footed, powerful half-volley, which was also dealt with by Lunan with relative ease.
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-0 Ford
The second half started with Aylesbury struggling to get started again. The loss of Greg Williams had left a void in the midfield, and the home side were unable to win the ball in that area.
Ford had a couple of early efforts, as Edwards fired a wild volley wide. Debutant Mark Bunn made a great save from point-blank range, after the Aylesbury defence went AWOL, leaving Sammy Cooper the whole box for himself. A minute later Bunn was at it again, this time denying Abraham as he turned and shot.
After a good run and shot from Reed, Ford got their equaliser, and it looked likely since half-time. A soft free-kick was awarded for handball, and the resulting kick was well curled into the box and headed home by the virtually unchallenged Dean Chandler. 1-1
It appeared for a while that Aylesbury might crumble completely, as they continued to struggle at winning the ball in midfield, and stringing two passes together. Lynch fancied his chances from distance, after spotting Jamie Lunan out of position, and Craig Edwards should have done better for Ford with a free-header.
To the delight of the home fans, the Ducks re-took the lead after 77 minutes, with a goal of sheer class. Picking the ball up, Darren Lynch chipped it over the last defender, before lobbing the keeper from the edge of the area. 2-1 Aylesbury
Once again though, the Ducks showed their desire to do things the hard way! Almost immediately Ford had clawed themselves level. A good cross went all the way through to Glenn Poole, and with a suspicion of hand-ball, he bundled the ball into the net. 2-2
Aylesbury were roused into playing their best football of the match in the final ten minutes, as they pushed forwards with purpose and desire. Ford survived a penalty appeal, as Lynch appeared to be tripped in the box. It didn't matter, as within a minute the same player had completed his hat-trick, and won the game for Aylesbury. A corner was swung in by Lewis Reid, and flicked on at the near post, before hitting the bar. In the ensuing melee the ball was joyfully smashed home by Darren Lynch. 3-2 Aylesbury
Despite having well over five minutes remaining, Ford couldn't gain momentum to seriously threaten another equaliser. The Ducks had finally won at Buckingham Road, in a tense encounter that they can look back on and be proud of their late fighting spirit.
