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The Ducks kept their faint survival hopes alive with a 3-0 demolition of fellow strugglers Northwood. The result was fully justified, particularly for the manner in which Aylesbury dominated the first half, and looks set to send the race for salvation to the wire.

United started superbly, and Richard Pringle nearly gave his side the lead after just three minutes, connecting with Justin Gordon's free-kick but seeing his effort saved by Rob Bullivant.

They did take the lead after just ten minutes, through winger Aston Goss. Leon Gutzmore did well to pick out the run of the youngster, and he kept a cool head to guide the ball past Bullivant with his left foot. 1-0 Aylesbury

Bilal Hassan, making his first start for the club, flicked a volley goalwards with the outside of his boot minutes later, but Northwood's keeper was on hand to pluck the ball out of the air.

Bullivant had an eventful afternoon, and his next action was to pick the ball out of his net again. An arrowed free-kick from Matt Butler was met by the head of Dean Powles, who had made a late run into the area, to guide the ball home. 2-0 Aylesbury

Northwood's first chance came through a free-kick 25-yards out, but after an intricate routine Fergus Moore mishit a drive, and the ball more trickled into the wall rather than hitting it.

At the other end there was a moment of comedy when a long-throw from Gordon went over the head of the hapless Bullivant, and rebounded off the crossbar before being cleared to safety.

The Wood had their best spell just before the interval, and had the bulk of the posession in the final ten minutes of the half. But they were unable to create anything, rebuked by Aylesbury's strong defence with full-backs Powles and Gordon impressive.

Half-time: Aylesbury 2-0 Northwood

With Aylesbury in such a commanding position it would take a serious self destruction to throw away this game. The game was more even after the break though, the visitors desperate to get back into things.

The first twenty minutes of the second half was the most open period of the game. Northwood's Gavin Hart placed a delicate shot wide of the post, before Kyle Kilmartin blazed over with a 25-yard effort.

Striker Richard Pringle went close to finding the net, but found Bullivant in his way twice, having flicked a free-kick goalwards, then trying again from the rebound. Dean Powles volleyed over after the ball dropped to him at the resulting corner kick.

Northwood then had two good chances in quick succession. Defender Moore headed a deep free-kick narrowly wide, before the visitors' leading scorer Peter Dean slid in to fire a cross wide of Reece Kirk's post. Powles then had to clear the ball from under his own crossbar.

Aylesbury's goal came under pressure again five minutes later when Dean Clark drilled in a low free-kick, but his effort was turned over the bar by Peter Dean when it might have gone in had he left it.

The Ducks had the upper hand in the closing stages of the game, Damon Ming's fresh legs asked questions of Northwood on every occasion he received the ball, whilst Pringle and Gutzmore continued to scrap away up front.

Pringle came close again, hitting a shot which was deflected and needed to be tipped wide by Bullivant. The corner kick which followed was fired over first time by Matt Hayward, who remains without a goal this season.

There were two further changes for United, Jamie O'Grady and manager Neil Trebble both coming on, and the latter had a chance to score, but placed his shot wide of the post when well positioned.

Ming went close with a similar effort, having galloped down the left wing, before the Bermudan scored his side's third goal. Gutzmore sprayed the ball out left, where the waiting Ming dribbled inside and shot for goal. The first effort was well stopped by Bullivant, but the winger collected the rebound and slotted home. 3-0 Aylesbury

The referee soon blew for full-time, and brought to an end a comprehensive and fully deserved win for Aylesbury. Reece Kirk didn't have a save to make all afternoon, as United's race for survival continues, looking set to go right to the wire.