The Ducks went into the match with Grantham in good form following the festive period. Greg Williams was back in for the injured Jay Gould, and Colin Baker replaced Gutzmore, for what turned out to be another entertaining game at Buckingham Road.

The ball was in the back of Grantham's net as early as nine minutes, but Paul Edgeworth's effort was chalked off. Daniel Mead did the running, playing Drew Roberts through, but he was tackled leaving goalkeeper Mario Ziccardi stranded. Edgeworth sidefooted the ball into the back of the net, but Mr Toyer had decided that Roberts had fouled Ziccardi.

Luke Graham then headed a corner over, before the visitors had a spell of conserted pressure. The lively Jason Turner beat Matt Hayward, but his tame effort was easily held by Rashid, and the equally dangerous Jason White ran forward, firing in a powerful effort which evaded Rashid and rebounded off the upright.

Turner was in again minutes later, but shot wide, and White followed suit, smacking his effort into the side-netting having intercepted Dean Powles' pass.

As the chances continued to fall for Grantham, Graham superbly cleared off hte line to deny an overhead kick from one of many corners for the away side, and Turner lashed another effort wide soon after.

Rashid got down well to save Tim Wooding's well struck free-kick just before the half-hour mark, and yet another corner was cleared off the line by Matt Hayward, who was in the right place at the right time. White headed another corner-kick over, and Turner fired wide after a mazy run.

In truth, Grantham could and maybe should have been two or three goals ahead by now, but as it was they were made to pay for their missed chances, as the Ducks took the lead with their first attack for twenty minutes. Drew Roberts won the ball from a defender, ran forward and fired in a good effort with his left-foot. Ziccardi made a good save, but the ball spooned up into the path of Gavin Jaggard who could make no mistake. 1-0 Aylesbury

The lead was doubled three minutes later, Roberts netting himself this time, as he ran onto a through-ball and calmly slotted under Ziccardi. 2-0 Aylesbury

Suddenly the game's complexion had been completely altered, and Aylesbury were rampant. Grantham had another very good chance, as Turner somehow managed to head over White's cross-shot at the far post. Roberts then fired a shot wide after Cracknell's excellent work had released him.

The advantage was increased just before the break, Roberts on the scoresheet again. Baker won the ball, and delivered a beautiful cross which was headed home by Roberts at the far post. 3-0 Aylesbury

Half-time: Aylesbury 3-0 Grantham

The second half was a calmer affair, as Grantham made a double substitution hoping to get something out of the game. But it was Aylesbury who started on the offensive, with Roberts still lively. Breaking down the left he pulled the ball back to Jaggard, who miscued completely and the ball spun wide.

Greg Williams had a strike held by Ziccardi soon after, and Graham stepped forward to put Roberts through. His shot was over the keeper, but cleared off the goal-line by a last ditch clearance.

Aylesbury continued to fashion good chances, most of their good play coming through Drew Roberts. It was his cross which reached Williams, but the final effort was poor and caused Ziccardi no problems. Baker ran forward soon after, placing his poweful effort just wide of the near post.

Grantham hauled themselves back into the game with their first meaningful effort of the half. A corner kick was finally made to count, second half substitute Adrian Speed scoring against the Ducks for the second time of the season. 3-1 Aylesbury

The heat was really on Aylesbury after the goal, as Grantham changed up a gear. They duly scored another just a minute later, Jason Turner finally finishing one of his numerous chances, neatly scoring after some tricky play. 3-2 Aylesbury

Substitute Jamie Clarke had an effort well saved by Rashid when clean through. Turner then jinked his way into the box, but against Rashid stood up well to deny his effort, and Clarke shot wide in the very final moments.

The last word belonged to Drew Roberts though. Having set up one and scored two, he came excrutiatingly close to becoming the first player to score consecutive hat-tricks for the Ducks since Cliff Campbell in 1987/88. Having been played through, he delicately lobbed Ziccardi, but the ball dropped just over the bar.

It was a relieved group of Aylesbury players that heard the final whistle blown soon afterwards. Evidently missing Liam Folds' strength in the defence, the Ducks can now take a break from League action with an FA Trophy mission to Forest Green Rovers.