Aylesbury racked up a fourth consecutive win by beating Malvern Town 3-1, but it wasn't all plain sailing against the league strugglers.
Tony Thompson made a number of changes to the side that had beaten Bishops Cleeve the week before; Andy Shed replacing suspended James Faulkner, and Ben Gallant and Kevin Mealor also drafted back into the starting line-up.
It was Shed who looked liveliest in the opening stages and he struck an improvised lob after six minutes that went well over the bar. Then on the quarter hour mark he ran through the middle but again fired over.
Malvern were lucky to escape conceding the opener when Shed threatened a third time as he raced onto a through ball. After his first effort was saved by the sprawling keeper he looked to have squeezed home the rebound, but it agonisingly came back off the inside of the post.
The visitors will argue that their game hinged on one bizarre decision from Mr Rowley towards the end of the half. From near the halfway line the referee awarded a penalty against Jason Castello for a challenge on the byline, only to retract his decision after consulting his linesman.
Aylesbury then finally took the initiative and went ahead a minute later. A low ball across the area found its way to Shed who scooped the ball into the net for a scrappy opener. 1-0 Aylesbury
There was time still for Town to threaten an equaliser when Gary Walker beat Kavanagh in the area, but Vincent beat away his near-post effort.
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-0 Malvern
United improved after the break and started to control the game more, but there was still a lack of genuine quality against very poor opposition.
Kavanagh should have scored when a low free-kick from Ben Stevens caught the defence napping, but somehow he lifted the ball over the bar.
The lead was doubled ten minutes into the second half. The visiting offside trap was well and truly sprung as Andy Shed received a through ball and almost embarrassingly had a choice of four players to pull the ball back to without a defender in sight. Nathan Graham the grateful party as he received an easy tap-in as an early Christmas present. 2-0 Aylesbury
United continued to dominate and it seemed like they would go on and add to their scoring. Graham had a shot go all the way across goal where Shed attempted to turn the ball home but just couldn't stretch far enough.
Malvern were still dangerous and a shot whistled past the post as Aylesbury were given a reminder that the game was far from over.
A third goal just wouldn't go in for the Ducks though, Graham thwarted by Wyatt this time after a superb raking pass by Sam Swonnel to pick him out.
Another chance came and went when Gallant used his pace to get away down the right before flashing the ball across goal where it only needed a touch to have taken it in.
Alarm bells then started ringing when the visitors forced their way back into the game. Walker ran through strongly against Leach, and although the Aylesbury captain made a good tackle the ball ran kindly for Walker to still finish. 2-1 Aylesbury
The goal brought a new determination from United though, determination not to throw away their hard work of earlier in the game.
Substitute Nathan Liburd went on a typical powerful run down the right flank, but could only steer his shot into the side netting.
A long awaited third goal did eventually materialise in the final minute. Mealor capped an impressive return to the team by breaking away down the left, running in on goal and smashing home for one of his trademark goals. 3-1 Aylesbury
That was virtually the last kick of the game as the Ducks moved up to the heady heights of third in the table. With Berkhamsted the next to visit the Meadow, Aylesbury now have an excellent chance of making it five wins on the bounce.
