Aylesbury got back on track with a much needed three points against Harefield United, who they had previously beaten 5-0 back in October. The visitors had won their last two matches though so visited Bell Close with renewed confidence after a long barren spell.

The Ducks looked to make their mark early on in what turned out to be a drab first half, and they had a penalty appeal turned down in the sixth minute for a tug on Lea Coulter which left the United forward with a badly ripped shirt.

Despite Harefield having barely ventured in the green?s half in the first ten minutes, it was Jack Sillitoe who was the first goalkeeper called into action when he had to dive and catch Lee Clark?s dangerous cross from the left.

Aylesbury deservedly broke the deadlock against a vulnerable looking visiting defence on 15 minutes. Mulholland met Will Smith?s left sided corner with a firm header which was blocked en route to goal, only for Ben Baines to react quickly and turn the ball into the net. 1-0 Aylesbury

Mulholland?s aerial presence was a problem for the Hares at both ends ? as time and time again he beat their strikers in the air ? whilst also being a menace in attacking plays for Aylesbury. A minute after the goal he met a deep free kick to head back across goal where Jack Wood hooked over the bar.

Harefield had to wait until midway through the half for their first effort on goal when Richard Johns rode a challenge in midfield and curled an effort just wide of the target.

The home side doubled their lead amongst some more woeful defending. A throw in from the right was allowed to bounce into the box where Jack Wood was on hand to head into the net from close range. For his troubles he received a nasty blow to the mouth which eventually forced his substitution early in the second half. 2-0 Aylesbury

Aylesbury?s two-goal cushion lasted less than a minute as another farce of a goal brought Hares right back into contention. As Luke Hughes challenged for a free-kick, Paul Edgeworth headed the ball into his own net having got to it ahead of his goalkeeper. 1-2

As the game laboured on, there was a spell of regrouping to be undertaken by the Ducks, but they were soon looking to make the most of their shaky visitors.

On this occasion though Harefield defended well, as only a fine last ditch intervention from Chris Day prevented Wood getting on the end of Coulter?s driven low cross.

In stoppage time Edgeworth rattled a free-kick just past the upright as Hughes was booked for his protests at the award.

Half-time: Aylesbury 2-1 Harefield

Buoyed by a couple of half-time changes, Harefield started the second period like a different team and had a number of good chances to level the game.

A sloppy pass by Garcia combined with a poor touch by Mulholland released one of those substitutes, Dan Campbell, clean through but Sillitoe came out on top with a save.

There was some brief respite when Baines rattled the crossbar with a curling effort, but it was soon back to Harefield attacking as United seemed to be sitting back and inviting pressure onto them.

Clark shimmied and fired in a shot which had to be fielded by Sillitoe, before a couple more shots were blocked in the area.

The worrying times continued as Jack Reader skinned the returning Mark Toms down the left before playing in Campbell, but he couldn?t get hold of his shot properly and fired straight at Sillitoe.

Two minutes later the visitors fashioned another great opening when Matt Jarvis? burst from full back when unnoticed and he got on the end of a deep cross at the far post but couldn?t get the required power in his effort and Sillitoe was able to dive on the ball.

It was reminiscent of the first meeting between the sides when Harefield created chance after chance in the first half without reward.

As the time ticked past the hour mark, the pressure began to subside as Aylesbury got a foothold in the game once again. Wood did well down the left to get in a fine cross which Coulter was inches away from reaching to head home.

It was to be Wood?s last effort as he was soon replaced by Justin Gordon due to his still bleeding mouth.

It was the Ducks? turn to waste a clear opening in the 61st minute when Coulter?s pass set Baines away but he elected to shoot early and could only fire straight at Hagger when taking the ball on further might have been the better option.

Harefield thought they?d got the goal they probably deserved when the ball was smashed in after Jack Reader?s free-kick effort had been followed in, but it was ruled out for offside to Aylesbury?s relief.

Lea Coulter hadn?t had much sight of goal during the course of the game, but one great ball forward released him and as the defence opened up he bore down on goal only to see Hagger save his well struck effort.

Two minutes later and the result was finally put beyond doubt, with another goal coming about in comical circumstances. Harefield?s attempted clearance hit another player and dropped invitingly for Danny Jones who still showed great technique to rifle home a half-volley in off the post. 3-1 Aylesbury

There were still chances for both sides in the last five minutes, none better than for Jack Reader who got on the end of a long kick from keeper Hagger which bounced over the Aylesbury defence, only to produce a powderpuff effort straight at Sillitoe.

At the other end, Acheampong saw a shot saved by Hagger. Finally, another piece of comedy in the Hares? box occurred when Acheampong set up Coulter who rounded the keeper at least twice without being able to find the net, before Townsend and eventually Smith both had stabs at goal without success.

In the end it was a hard fought win for Aylesbury, and a much needed one at that, though Harefield might feel slightly aggrieved by the end result.