In front of the biggest league crowd for 2 1/2 years, and despite their best home display for some time, the quality of Histon proved to be just too much for the Ducks.
Even so, it was Aylesbury who raced into an early lead - but it could easily have gone the other way as a Histon player saw his headed effort rebound off the upright. Instead, it was Dean Cracknell the hero - collecting a quick free-kick from Daniel Mead, turning to get the ball onto his right-foot, and curling home a superb effort. 1-0 Aylesbury
It took Histon a good fifteen minutes to recover from the shock, but they came back resurgent and Neil Andrews missed a fantastic chance to level the match. Capitalising on an unfortunate slip by a defender, Andrews found himself with only Jack Rashid to beat, but placed his shot wide of the target.
The two number 9s both then had chances for their respective teams - Neil Kennedy flicking a header goalwards, which was easily claimed by Rashid, and Gavin Jaggard using his physical ability to connect with a Mead cross but heading wide.
Just before the half-hour mark Histon did get their equaliser. Good play by Louie Farrington saw him create the space to cross low, and Ian Cambridge managed to fire the ball home. 1-1
There were chances for both sides before the interval. Cracknell saw a sharp half-volley blocked, and Ian Cambridge hit a wild volley well over the bar.
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-1 Histon
Aylesbury fashioned a good opening just after the restart as substitute Neil Lazarus headed over Colin Baker's cross. Ian Cambride also had a good chance, creating space for himself to power an effort goalwards, which surprised Rashid with it's sheer power and bounced off him.
The turnaround was complete as Histon took the lead after 57 minutes. A quality ball was played out to Jamie Barker, and his viscious whipped ball was headed into the net by Neil Kennedy at the far-post. 2-1 Histon
Three minutes later and Cracknell had another chance, but saw his decent looking shot closed down and deflected wide. Lazarus then went on a run infield, finally shooting on his left foot but it was easily held by ex-Kingstonian keeper.
Daniel Mead hit a free-kick just from just outside the area which was on target, but didn't trouble Key. A mad goalmouth scramble then had Histon worried, but they escaped unscathed.
Histon themselves then started to pile on the pressure in the closing stages. Barker came forward and fizzed an effort just wide of the flailing Rashid, and debutant Leon Barnett nearly scored an own goal under immense pressure from a corner.
The Stutes added their third with nine minutes remaining. A great ball played Kennedy in, and although his first attempt was saved by Rashid's legs, he smashed the rebound high into the top corner of the goal. 3-1 Histon
A flattering fourth goal could have been added towards the end. Firstly the Cambridge side had a goal disallowed for offside, and then Rashid made a superb save right on full-time.
For Aylesbury this was one of those games where the quality of the opposition was just too great. A battling performance from the whole team - with not one player having a bad game.
