Going into the game, Aylesbury's record against the Greenbacks had been patchy in recent times, so despite the respective league positions the Ducks should have been braced for a tough encounter.

There is also an ongoing opinion that the Ducks struggle against the more physical sides, and so it proved tonight as the Greenbacks were both stronger and quicker to every ball.

Aylesbury's first half performance wasn't too bad, and they could have been ahead within five minutes when Ben Stevens capitalised on a defensive slip by Ashley Pringle, allowing him to slip the ball in for Glen Hawkins but he got it caught under his feet and the chance was gone.

A minute later Nathan Graham showed his first of a number of great bits of skill, making space for himself with a great touch before driving in an effort which was beaten away by Andrew Kemp. Graham looked very sharp throughout the whole game and the disappointing lack of service to him only adds to the frustration at the game's outcome.

The opening goal was a big blow to the Ducks momentum, coming completely out of the blue against the run of play. Stevens gave the ball away cheaply on the right, and it was worked forwards quickly by Bedworth eventually finding Josh Ruff who passed inside for Danny Edmond whose deflected shot left Tom Vincent wrong-footed. 0-1

The Ducks looked to hit back quickly, and Graham produced a fine turn and shot after receiving a throw in, then Sam Swonnell placed a shot just wide after that man Graham was again involved, heading the ball down into his path.

Sadly for Stevens, his night didn't get any better. He lost the ball again to let Bedworth in for another close call, then five minutes later he was struck by a crashing shot from point blank range and eventually forced off with his injuries and replaced by Kevin Mealor.

Aylesbury forced the equaliser their first half efforts deserved with ten minutes remaining. Hawkins held the ball up for an eternity by the right touchline before sliding Chris Marsh clean through just inside the Bedworth half. He did the rest by running on and slotting in past Kemp with a perfectly measured finish. 1-1

There was still time for another half chance when Mealor and Mead combined well down the left before the latter crossed to the near post where a combination of Hawkins and Matt Butler were unable to turn the ball home.

Level at the break was about right for an evenly balanced opening period, even though Aylesbury had been superior in terms of number of chances.

Half-time: Aylesbury 1-1 Bedworth

Whatever words of wisdom were uttered by Greenbacks' manager Liam O'Neill at half time did the job, as his side did a great job of stifling Aylesbury after the interval. They stepped up their pressing game and effectively extinguished the creative forces of Swonnell and Marsh, leaving the home strikers fighting for scraps.

Kemp made a good stop to deny Mead early on, the left-back's top corner bound free-kick expertly tipped past the post.

Aylesbury were their own worst enemy at times, and some poor defending allowed their visitors to re-establish the lead. A free-kick was dealt with well enough and the ball dropped kindly for Ruff to finish sweetly into the bottom corner. 1-2

Chances were becoming increasingly short in supply, Swonnell dragging a shot past the post and Graham heading narrowly wide at the near post after throw-in was inadvertently flicked on by a defender.

When the efforts were on target, Kemp was proving himself to be a very capable custodian. On 69 minutes he made his best save of the night, Graham connecting with Mealor's great cross, but Kemp springing across to tip his header onto the post.

Poor defending was again to cost Aylesbury, as a third Bedworth goal went in fifteen minutes from time. The ball was headed back across goal and Pringle got up to hook the ball in over his head with a well executed acrobatic effort. 1-3

With Bedworth's job complete, there was no further goalmouth action for either side as the match drifted to a close. Only substitutions and yellow cards for both sides made for any kind of talking point.

A desperately frustrating night was eventually brought to an end, as the story of Aylesbury's season continues: able to play some scintilating football against teams riding high in the league, yet coming unstuck against the so called 'lesser' sides.

Three points against Arlesey now looks like a must for the team.