Aylesbury returned to action for the first time in over two weeks with a tough looking away trip to league leaders Leamington and returned with an impressive win, their first ever against the Warwickshire side.
Having held an unbeaten league record until the end of January, the Brakes had opened a comfortable lead at the top of the table. Since then though they have suffered two defeats, and it soon became apparent that the Ducks were taking on a team bereft of any confidence.
An upset was on the cards then, and as United made a typically strong start to the game they were rewarded with the lead after just eight minutes. A good passing move ended with a clever ball by Sam Swonnell through to Mead who delivered the perfect near-post cross for Nathan Graham to meet with a diving header of subsequent power that Richard Anstiss' fingertips weren't enough to keep it out. 1-0 Aylesbury
Suspended manager Mark Eaton, watching on from the sidelines, would have had every reason to fear for a long night as Leamington looked to hit back, Mark Bellingham cutting inside and hitting an effort straight down Vincent's throat. But the expected fight back never truly materialised and Aylesbury were the better side for much of the first half.
The home side's only other attempt on goal in the first half was a wayward free-kick from Guy Sanders which flew high over the bar.
By contrast, Aylesbury could, and should, have added to their lead. No more so than when Chris Marsh did well to ride a challenge on the right flank before playing a square ball into the path of Glen Hawkins, who shuffled but saw his shot closed down. The ball rebounded to Graham who in turn found Marsh again, but his effort lacked the power or direction to beat the keeper.
Graham was the next man to go close; his quick shot on the turn had to be tipped wide at full stretch by Anstiss after Mead had delivered another telling ball into the box.
The Ducks even had a goal disallowed ten minutes from the break when Carl Kavanagh headed his side's fifth corner kick into the net, the referee spotting an infringement on Anstiss amongst a crowded penalty area.
Mealor despatched a free-kick over the target as the seconds ticked down before the break, and Aylesbury trudged off at the interval with a lead to protect after a very satisfying opening period.
Half-time: Leamington 0-1 Aylesbury
Leamington at least gave the impression of increased determination at the start of the second half, but only had a scuffed shot from Jamie Lenton to show for their efforts after Jamie Towers' deep cross was missed by the defence.
Marsh had a fabulous chance to bury the home side, but he headed over with the goal at his mercy from Mead's excellent corner kick delivery.
Aylesbury's threat on the counter was evident throughout the first half, and as Leamington pushed forward they were leaving themselves increasingly open.
The Ducks went close on the end of one such move; the ball worked quickly forward eventually ending with Kevin Mealor striking a drive from outside the box which fizzed just past the right upright. Three minutes later Graham tried his luck, dribbling into the box but seeing his shot deflected wide for yet another corner kick.
If Leamington were to score, then Mark Bellingham looked likely to be the one to inspire them. His shot on the turn had to be smartly gathered in by Vincent on the 70 minute mark, and he was also the recipient of his side's best chance of the match, striking the ball firmly but seeing Vincent turn the ball away on the near post inside the last third of the game.
Aylesbury came desperately close to doubling their lead as the Leamington goal lead a charmed life for chaotic few seconds of the match. An indirect free-kick was bizarrely charged down by the goalkeeper, but the ball found its way through before being first headed off the line, then a second shot was also charged down before the ball was eventually cleared to safety.
It looked as though the second just wasn't going to come for United, this time substitute Craig Henney failinig to make proper contact after Mealor headed a deep free-kick nicely into his path, and Anstiss was able to easily gather.
Within five minutes the missed chances were all forgotten as the lead was finally doubled. Henney used his pace to spring Leamington's awful impression of an offside trap and he was massively unlucky that his delightful flicked finish rolled back off the post, but Sam Swonnell was in the right place to collect the rebound and place the ball past two defenders and in off the opposite post. 2-0 Aylesbury
That really was the final nail in the home side's coffin, and a two-goal cushion was nothing more than United deserved.
To their credit, Leamington kept plugging away though and with three minutes remaining were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area for handball. The ball was blasted in low and rebounded back off the sprawling Tom Vincent and fell kindly for Marcus Jackson who thumped the ball into the net. 1-2 Aylesbury
The goal brought a glimmer of hope to the home support, but failed to spur their team on in the way they would have liked. Although the final few minutes were more uncomfortable than they should have been, Aylesbury dealt comfortably with what little Leamington had to throw at them, and dug in for a well earned three points.
