Leon Gutzmore returned to the side having re-joined the club from Histon earlier in the week in an attempt to give the team more firepower up front, whilst Dean Powles replaced Kyle Kilmartin at right back and Jack Rashid was back in goal after a long injury lay off.

First blood in a poor first half went to Cirencester, as forward Scott Griffin had a shot from wide deflected wide for a corner.

Gutzmore went close for Aylesbury ten minutes in, when he headed Powles' lofted ball narrowly wide of the far post.

Griffin had another attempt at goal, this time deflected into the grateful arms of Rashid, as neither team could impose any kind of dominance on the game.

It was the Ducks who lead the first period shot count though, Dean Harding seeing an effort held by Paul Thompson. The same player then headed Powles' accurate cross straight at the Centurian stopper.

United made the best move of the match so far, Harding on hand at the end, but even though Thompson made a fine low save to keep the ball out, the linesman's flag had been raised for offside against the winger.

Despite Aylesbury shading the first half it was the home side who went into the half-time break ahead. A free-kick ten-yards outside the area was struck over the wall by Shaun Wimble, and in past the despairing Rashid. 1-0 Cirencester

Half-time: Cirencester 1-0 Aylesbury

The second half started with the Ducks clearly reeling after their setback. Cirencester quickly had a goal disallowed for one of a number of offsides they incurred after the break.

But United began to claw their way back into the match, and good play down the right by Mark Bridge resulted in a low cross, met by Gutzmore, but the effort was charged down.

Bridge then spurned a fantastic chance to level the match, heading Gutzmore's inviting cross over the bar from 5-yards out, after the latter had worked hard to retrieve the ball and deliver from the byline.

United went for broke with the introduction of Ming and Pringle, but against the run of play Cirencester grabbed a second goal. A counter-attack resulted in Griffin forcing Rashid to make a great save, but he was powerless to prevent Lee Smith scoring the rebound. 2-0 Cirencester

Four minutes later though there was hope for Aylesbury. As the ball was about to fall to Roni Joe in the area, defender Craig Fullam literally punched the ball clear of his path. The referee duly awarded the penalty, which was calmly converted by Gutzmore. 2-1 Cirencester

At 2-1 it was game on, and the Ducks poured forward. A goalmouth melee could have brought another goal, until Richard Pringle lashed the ball over the bar as it broke to him.

Moments later an off balance Gutzmore just failed to steer an effort on the goalwards, from Ming's cross.

The final effort of the game saw Pringle blaze over the bar with his left foot, after Gutzmore flicked the ball on, as United's time ran out and Cirencester just held on.

Neil Trebble will no doubt be disappointed with the result, but the spirit of his players stood out, and with the addition of Gutzmore there is still hope, and time, to stave off relegation. But the team desperately need a win.