With the Ducks eleven containing six new faces (four being debutants) they could have been forgiven for a disjointed performance against many people?s title favourites, but it was actually not a bad showing and could have been a different story had Aylesbury not gifted their opponents both goals.

After the opening exchanges it was Aylesbury who had the first half chances of the game as Mullholland flicked O?Grady?s long throw goalwards but it was a comfortable catch for visiting keeper Jorden Gibson, before a deflected shot from the edge of the box five minutes later was also easily fielded.

Royston had by far the best of the first half efforts though, and on 15 minutes Sillitoe was called into his first save of the match ? and how! The ball was squared to Ryan Lockett just inside the area and his shot brought a fantastic flying save out of the Aylesbury stopper to tip it wide.

Gibson was called upon again at the other end, but again it was a fairly routine stop. Lea Coulter was set away by a fine Mullholland pass and as he elected to hit an early low shot, Gibson had no problems.

As the game passed the half hour mark, Royston began to up their game and turn up the pressure on the home side and Justin Gordon made a fine last ditch tackle to prevent the lurking Conor De Lacy reaching a dangerous ball into the box, which lead to a succession of corners that came to nothing.

Lockett went close again when he received a throw-in before cleverly spinning and hammering a shot just over the bar.

After Mullholland headed a Smith corner kick ? one of very few decent deliveries from set plays by either side ? well over the bar, the Crows should have taken the lead through Josh Bronti who could only head a cross over with the whole goal to aim at.

This was followed up two minutes later by a crashing drive from Danny Payne (son of former Hitchin and now Hemel Hempstead manager Colin) which flew wide.

Aylesbury fashioned some brief respite for themselves by forcing a corner and then a free-kick, but the ball soon found its way back into their half with the visitors back on the attack.

A Brinkman header from a deep right-wing cross drew another superb save from Sillitoe who somehow tipped it over the bar from close range, with United?s defence seemingly turned to stone.

But just as it looked like United had successfully ridden the storm, Royston were gifted the lead as referee Mr Crawford pointed to the spot for an apparent push in the area and Lockett stepped up to score as emphatic penalty as you?re likely to see ? perfectly placed into the bottom left corner. 1-0 Royston

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-1 Royston

The goal was a huge blow for the Ducks but with the introduction of Leon Gordon at half-time they shuffled their pack and there was a notable improvement.

They were on the attack early on and a dangerous ball in from the right was met by Jack Wood at the far post but he couldn?t keep his header down and it sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Aylesbury then picked up two bookings for niggly fouls in quick succession as Mr Crawford continued to be somewhat card happy as he added to his three of the first half.

The latter was for Mullholland, who was in the aftermath requested to leave the field to change his sock ? and in his absence United were caught all at sea as first Lockett cut inside purposefully before curling a superb effort goalwards only to be denied by the upright with Sillitoe well beaten.

Bronti then followed suit, cutting in from the opposite flank and striking a left-footed shot which was straight at the keeper in the end.

United?s best two chances of levelling the game came in quick succession in a three minute spell midway through the half. A searching free-kick delivery from substitute James Nash found Pringle in the area and his close range header was well saved down low by Gibson.

Aylesbury then produced a good move which saw Wood spread the ball to the overlapping O?Grady who whipped in an excellent cross which was met by a just as good header by Leon Gordon, but the looping ball beat Gibson but sickeningly rattled the crossbar.

It was tough luck for United, and as is so often the case in football they were soon made to pay. A truly calamitous moment in defence saw Lea Coulter and Justin Gordon come together just as the latter was set to clear the ball, allowing Bronti to run clear and finish past the exposed Sillitoe with aplomb. 2-0 Royston

That was game up for Aylesbury but they continued to plug away ? introducing a third striker in Ian Pearce for the closing stages.

It was Leon Gordon who might have pulled a goal back for the Ducks though when he again was well position to head for goal, Coulter providing the cross this time, but misjudged it and the ball was placed over the bar.

That was nine minutes from time, and there wasn?t much else for Aylesbury to get excited about. Instead, the Crows had a couple of efforts on goal through Bronti who half-volleyed a well executed effort wide, then saw an early shot, which awkwardly bounced just in front of the goalkeeper, turned wide of the goal by the excellent Sillitoe.

Full time soon arrived to mark the end of a match which brought about a disappointing result, but a bit of tweaking and a bit of work here and there ? plus the return of a couple of unavailable players ? should bring reward.