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Aylesbury travelled to Basingstoke on the back of a largely disappointing Bank Holiday programme. Although the match at Hornchurch was a close faught affair, the St. Albans result was simply dire, and there appeared to be little cause for optimism going into todays game.

Paul Curtis restored Ryan Wiffin to the starting line-up, along with fit-again pair Matt Hayward and Greg Williams. Also included was Alvin Bubb.

Aylesbury started promisingly, with an early Danny Gordon free-kick being headed back across goal, where it was parried away to Alex Giscombe. The midfielder's cross was a good one, and Williams' audacious overhead effort was easily gathered by Mark Zadawski in goal.

Any lingering thoughts of 'just maybe' were soon put to bed, as Basingstoke took the lead in the eighth minute. Livewire Craig McAllister beat the offside trap, and played a tempting square ball into the box. Jack Rashid appeared to have the goal covered, but Sergio Torres managed to squeeze the ball home. 1-0 Basingstoke

The game was another poor affair for the spectators, with play hinging around a scrappy midfield battle. It was up to the home side to break Aylesbury down, with the defence once again looking reasonably secure.

An effort almost fell to Ryan Wiffin, but the ball wouldn't drop quickly enough, and his shot was charged down by a defender. The ball once again wouldn't run kindly for an Aylesbury player, and was hoofed clear.

Basingstoke stepped up their search for a second, but their only notable effort was a free-kick drilled low and wide by Neville Stamp.

Alex Giscombe had a rare shot at goal, following a neat piece of skill. His effort was easily held by Zadawski though.

Half-time: Basingstoke 1-0 Aylesbury

Basingstoke made a change at half-time, with Alex Ewin replacing Sergio Torres, and it was Ewin who created the first chance of the half. His fantastic cross was begging to be put away, but Levis headed wide. McAllister then hit a good half-volley, but the shot was straight at Rashid.

Despite having a controlling share of posession in the second half, the Ducks couldn't create a single chance. Despite the introduction of the creative Jay Gould, and then fresh strikers in Donovan Reed and Danny Gray, Aylesbury just didn't threaten.

The game was wrapped up in a suitably comfortable manner. The ball was played through to McAllister, who took his time to calmly fire past Rashid. 2-0 Basingstoke

From here there was going to be no comeback, and so it proved, as the match wound down and finished 2-0.