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After all the excitement of the Ducks' excellent three-match winning run, Aylesbury United were brought back down to earth with a bump by winless Stamford. Paul Curtis kept faith with the same team that beat Rugby, except for the unavailable Paul Edgeworth replaced by Meshach Cole in attach.

The first chance came after nine minutes, falling to hitman Leon Gutzmore. A long-throw was flicked on and hooked goalwards by the striker, just rising over the bar. This signalled Aylesbury's intent, as they went on to dominate proceedings and chances on goal.

A Dean Cracknell run and shot narrowly missed the near post, and Daniel Mead had a shot from 15-yards easily held by the Stamford goalkeeper Darren Watts. Neil Champelovier also had an effort sail over the bar.

The closest the home side came to breaking the deadlock was again through Mead. From well outside the area the young full-back crafted a curling effort which smacked against the post, with Watts rooted to the spot

Gutzmore again came close, flinging himself at a Lamb corner, but the chances just weren't finding the back of the net, and Aylesbury were made to pay.

Stamford took the lead with essentially their first true chance of the game. An excellent ball played in behind the defenders was empatically headed home by Kevin Byrne. 1-0 Stamford

The goal was evidence enough of the old cliche, you can't win unless you score, and United certainly deserved to have been ahead at this point. It was the visitors who had taken their chance when it came though, and they lead 1-0 at the interval.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-1 Stamford

The second half exploded into life, as Aylesbury fashioned the best move of the match. Paul Lamb breaking from his defensive midfield role slotted a superb through ball to Meshach Cole, but the ex-Buckingham man scuffed his shot with only the keeper to beat, and although goalbound, the shot had no power and was cleared to safety.

The second half was lacking in excitement, as the visitors were more than happy to sit back, soak up anything thrown at them, and effectively counter-attack with their pace up front causing constant problems. One such counter-attack lead to Jack Rashid leave his goal and bring down an attacker. Mr Singh had no hesitation in awarding a penalty, which was converted by Robbie Maddox. 2-0 Stamford

There was still enough time for Aylesbury to mount a comeback, but Stamford were defending stoutly. Greg Williams went close, heading Jason Burnham's cross wide, before Aylesbury did finally pull a goal back. Cracknell, excellent again, beat his man superbly and fired the ball towards goal. Gutzmore slid the ball home at the far post to poach himself a goal. 2-1 Stamford

This was as good as it got for the Ducks - try as they might Aylesbury just couldn't force an equaliser. Gutzmore and Cracknell both had chances, and a number of excellent crosses weren't converted, when they really should have been buried, and it finished 2-1 to Stamford.

In the end this match will doubtlessly be looked upon as points lost. Stamford had one effort of note, which they scored. They rarely threatened, and had the home side been a little more clinical in front of goal it could have been an entirely different story.