After the disappointment of being beaten by Stamford on Saturday, Aylesbury travelled the short distance to Hemel Hempstead looking for a good win over their struggling neighbours. Paul Edgeworth returned to the side in the only team change, Meshach Cole making way.

As early as the second minute Hemel had a shot, Andy Cook shooting well wide after the ball wasn't cleared by the Aylesbury defence. Three minutes later and United's first chance of the game was the result of a great cross by Neil Champelovier, headed over by Edgeworth.

At the other end Byron Bubb, one of five ex-Ducks playing in Red, provided a cross which was headed over by the number 5. United then begun a perioud of almost total domination, passing the ball around to great effect and causing the home side all sorts of problems.

A shimmy and cross from Dean Cracknell was just too far for Champelovier to reach. A long-throw was then flicked on by Matt Hayward, and Leon Gutzmore's hooked effort bounced off the crossbar and behind.

A minute later and United had a thoroughly deserved lead. Hemel's number 4 turned on the ball, back towards his own goal, and found himself disposessed by Cracknell. The classy midfielders instant swerving strike left former Aylesbury keeper David Lovell with no chance. 1-0 Aylesbury

For Hemel Bubb hit a free-kick over, before another polished United move involving Cracknell saw Edgeworth fire over. The best move of the game followed, and again Cracknell was at the heart of the action. After a superb run he squared the ball to Champelovier, and with an open goal the ex-Northampton man managed to shoot over, from all of 3-yards out.

Controversy followed, as another hand-ball decision went against the Ducks - Hemel's number 2 deflecting a cross with his arm, which brought about a smart save from Lovell.

Aylesbury were left to rue their missed chances, as on Saturday, as Hemel equalised. Bryan Hammatt waltzed through United's defence before smashing home a shot which Jack Rashid got a hand to, but couldn't keep out. 1-1

Hemel visibly grew in confidence after the equaliser, and asserted some consistent pressure on Aylesbury's goal for the first time in the match. Number 11 cut inside from the left-flank and fired a shot well over. Doing the same again a minute later he again wasn't closed down, and the second effort was much better, requiring a good save low-down from Rashid.

Another flowing Aylesbury attack ended in Gutzmore playing Edgeworth in with a fantastic through-ball. Lovell was up to the shot though, making a blinding save to tip the ball wide. A Daniel Mead free-kick didn't beat the wall, and Bubb had a shot wide in the closing moments of the half.

Half-time: Hemel Hempstead 1-1 Aylesbury

The home side came out for the second half looking almost a different team, taking full advantage of the time and space given to them by the shaky looking Aylesbury defense. Bubb, who was having a good game, crossed for number 4 to volley over, and a curling effort by the winger himself was comfortably held by Rashid.

Aylesbury had two further efforts, the first a Paul Lamb free-kick which was easily enough for Lovell to hold, and a Jason Burnham piledriver which was tipped wide by Lovell, before they re-took the lead. Lamb was bundled over just inside the area, and Gutzmore calmly slotted home the penalty. 2-1 Aylesbury

Aylesbury seemed to have got their game back together, and an excellent Burnham ball in behind Hemel's defence released Edgeworth. His shot was parried loose by Lovell, and an amazing goal-mouth scramble ensued, during which five Aylesbury players had a stab at the ball, each effort blocked by a combination of defender and goalkeeper.

As ever, a defensive mistake seemes invevitable for Aylesbury right now, and sure enough a Hemel attacker was felled in the area by Kai Ridley. Up stepped Hammatt to emphatically level the scores once again. 2-2

Unbelievably Aylesbury were now hanging on to avoid conceding a third goal. Two blocked shots went astray from Hemel, as the game stretched and could have gone either way. Greg Williams saw an effort go wide, before Lovell escaped punishment for apparetly hauling Gutzmore to the ground in a challenge for the ball. Gutzmore was booked for his confronation following the incident.

Rashid made another good save, from Bubb, and then from number 9, whilst Williams volleyed over for Aylesbury. Number 10 also had an effort, which was in the end a poor finish over the bar.

With fifteen minutes to go the game swung back in Aylesbury's favour, and again from the penalty spot. An aerial ball was comfortably fielded by Lovell, but in the process he dangerously raised his foot against Gutzmore, and the referee was in no doubt. Gutzmore, once again, calmly stroking the ball home, this time straight down the middle.3-2 Aylesbury

The end of the game was a scrappy affair, as Hemel seemed to run out of steam, and run out of ideas. Aylesbury brought on Meshach Cole to cause some late problems, as the time ran out, and the referee brought play to a close.

So another three points, and a move up to a hard to believe 3rd in the league, but Aylesbury will have much harder challenges ahead if they are to hold onto their leagus position.