Aylesbury's first ever trip to the Corinium Stadium proved disappointing to say the least, as they found themselves down and out in twenty minutes, as their hosts raced into a three-goal lead.
Robbed of the services of Gavin Jaggard through injury and Colin Baker, there was a place at right-back for Andrew Hodges once again, and John De Souza was given his chance on the bench for the first time.
The warning signs were there from the start, as ex-Premiership defender Adie Viveash headed a corner over the bar when unmarked, and Gareth Hopkins planted a mis-hit effort wide, when he should've worked Rashid.
Aylesbury also showed early promise though, and their first foray upfield saw Jamie Kearns narrowly miss out on converting French's penetrating left-wing cross.
But it was elementary as Cirencester took the lead after just eleven minutes. Viveash was inexpicably left unattended in the area for another corner, and he lashed a low-shot into the bottom corner as the ball dropped to him. 1-0 Cirencester
The Ducks were undone again four minutes later. More suspect defending allowed Scott Griffin to cut in from the left-flank, beat two men and place a shot easily past Rashid. 2-0 Cirencester
To their credit United continued to push-forward, despite the double blow. Roberts was unlucky having run through to see the ball pushed away by the plunging Mark Bryant and from the resulting corner Matt Hayward headed wide after Bryant tamely punched the ball more up than out.
The home side were pulling Aylesbury's defenders all over the place, and after Folds commited himself to a challenge Hopkins steamed through but powered his shot over the bar. Folds then attoned for his error by getting across to make a superb goal-line clearance to deny Griffin.
But Griffin couldn't be kept at bay for long, as he headed in a left-wing cross in the 20th minute to spell game over. 3-0 Cirencester
The end of Andrew Hodges' afternoon was soon to follow, replaced in defence by Kai Ridley.
Things could have been a lot worse for Aylesbury before half-time, as Cirencester played against how their recent form suggested they would approach the game.
Ben Fitch broke away on the counter-attack, held off Mead, but could only steer his effort wide of the post, and Rashid got down to make a good save to stop Shaun Wimble's free-kick.
The Centurions survived an aerial goalmouth scramble towards the end of the half, as Roberts' dangerous cross caused problems. Aylesbury had a shout for a penalty turned away in the midst as a defender appeared to lead with his arm challenging for the still airborne object.
Rashid then made another good save to deny Griffin his hat-trick, spectacurlarly tipping over the frontman's lobbed shot.
De Souza got his chance to impress coming on just before the interval, at the expense of the injury hit Kearns.
Half-time: Cirencester Town 3-0 Aylesbury United
The second-half was less eventful, but the home side were still proving a threat. A well worked free-kick routine fooled the Aylesbury defence, but the final diving header went over the bar.
Daniel French became an ever more infuential figure as the game wore on and his run down the left saw the former Peterborough winger cut-inside and go for goal, but the effort was comfortably held by Bryant.
French again went for goal minutes later, but again his effort was smothered easily by Bryant. Next a wild half-volley by the same player flew over the bar.
The lively looking De Souza played Drew Roberts through, and in his first real opening of the match the striker flashed a shot well over the crossbar.
After a number of substitutions for boths sides, the crossbar was made the star of the show. French cut inside again from his left-wing position, and hit a sweetly struck lob which had Bryant beaten, but bounced away off the top of the woodwork.
Then in the 84th minute United appeared to be offered chance to at least gain some consolation in defeat. French, by far Aylesbury's man of the match, made a darting run into the area but was felled - probably the easiest penalty decision Mr Gee will have this season. Sadly it was not to be the Green's day as Roberts' spot-kick smacked against the bar.
With the full time whistle shortly following, this was certainly not the result Aylesbury wanted, but with results going favourably elsewhere the Ducks remain in fifth place, and more importantly in the play-off positions - but only just!
