Aylesbury?s inability to convert chances to goals finally caught up with them as they came unstuck to Hatfield Town and lost for the first time in six games.
Hatfield were well organised, solid at the back, and took their own chances well to secure victory, but really United should have been out of sight by half-time with the openings they had.
Tony Joyce was forced into a number of changes with Robbie Kean and Paul Edgeworth unavailable, with Craig Townsend and the newly re-signed Daniel Jones back in the side, whilst Matt Timberlake was in goal in place of Joe Purcell with Sillitoe completing his suspension.
The Ducks set about getting at their opponents from the off and Acheampong had an early weak effort easily held by Sam Lacey after just three minutes, before Baines had a shot blocked by Jay Welsh five minutes later.
Hatfield had their say too as a dangerous free-kick delivery powered off a defending Aylesbury head and only just over the crossbar.
The opener should have arrived in the 13th minute when a great ball forward by Clay released Acheampong who outpaced the defence but slotted the ball wide with only Lacey to beat.
Instead, the opening goal went the way of the visitors. Pressure from Jack Evans saw him win the ball ahead of the defence before hooking it back to Jason Beck and although he looked to have taken too long in getting his shot away, he was still allowed to having cut all the way across the box, and his reverse shot wrong footed Timberlake and snuck inside the post. 1-0 Hatfield
The home supporters were hoping that the match would take a similar pattern to the previous Saturday?s comeback against Biggleswade United, and as the Ducks pressed on it appeared to be heading that way.
Mulholland blazed a volley over, before Acheampong again wasted a good opportunity of his own creation having won the ball back from the defence, and although Lacey should take some credit for saving well in the one-on-one he shouldn?t have had a chance.
Baines was next to misfire as a flowing move saw Acheampong lay the ball back for Wood whose first time cross was headed over from six-yards by Baines.
Hatfield then fashioned an opening of their own with a just as good attacking movement which saw Terry Caswell?s ball into the box headed over the bar by Matt Standen.
It just wasn?t happening for Acheampong as he had another sight of goal with a shot from the edge of the box which was easily fielded by Lacey.
Entering the last ten minutes of the first half and the chances continued to come and go with no equaliser to show for United?s efforts. A driven free-kick from Gordon was met by Mulholland but headed straight at the keeper, before Lacey made a great save to turn Baines? chest and shot wide.
The visitors had reason to feel they should have extend their lead though when Standen lashed a shot well over the bar as the ball fell to him, but it remained 1-0 at the interval.
Half-time: Aylesbury 0-1 Hatfield
Joyce elected to replace Acheampong with O?Grady for the second half and push Coulter into attack, and at the outset there was no change in the pattern of play as Jones shot wide when well placed, and Coulter struck a fierce drive which flew just wide moments later.
But the attacking momentum eventually began to dry up and the second half was generally more even than the first.
Timberlake was nearly caught out again on the hour mark when a free-kick into the box was headed goalwards, but he managed to readjust at the last moment to palm it away.
Another bright move from the Ducks saw substitute McCormick cleverly release Baines and his left-footed shot was just about clung onto by Lacey with Coulter closing in. Two minutes later a low corner to the near post was lifted narrowly over the bar by Christon.
But then disaster struck for United. Pushing forwards at an offensive throw-in, they were well and truly caught cold at the back as a pass swept forward set Beck away from Gordon who couldn?t catch him. Timberlake raced off his line but was unable to get near the ball as Beck skipped inside of him and rolled into the empty net. 2-0 Hatfield
That was the killer blow and, although Aylesbury came again, their visitors were digging deep and defending really well as numerous crosses and balls into the box were cleared away by a very strong backline.
A lifeline arrived in the 72nd minute when the Blue Boys conceded a needless free-kick on the edge of the box, and Gordon stepped up to place a perfect free-kick into the top corner and reduce the deficit. 1-2
Suddenly Aylesbury had something to build on and they continued to throw everything forward. Gordon went close again as, having been fed on the overlap, he flashed a drive just past the post.
Mulholland could have done better three minutes later as he arrived unchallenged at the back post but could only loft a shot over, before Gordon also shot over the bar as time started to run out.
Hatfield then caught Aylesbury out with another breakaway goal and settled the match. Beck completed his hat-trick as he got clear of the defence before striking a long range effort which took a wicked deflection to loop over the stranded Timberlake and drop in off the post. 3-1 Hatfield
That was game over, but Hatfield still had another chance to score when Caswell robbed Mlholland before going for goal and drawing a good tip over from Timberlake.
Football?s all about taking your chances and on this occasion Aylesbury didn?t do that, and were made to pay the highest price. Hopefully the ruthless streak will be rediscovered sooner rather than later.
