Aylesbury’s second visit to Garden Walk ended with disappointment and a 1-0 defeat at the hands of early league pacesetters Royston Town.

Royston are many people’s pick for the Championship, and there has been little evidence to the contrary as they continue their 100% start to the season. But the Ducks didn’t look a million miles behind them, and, if the crows are the league’s best side, shouldn’t be too downhearted.

On the day Royston’s win was well deserved as they had the upper hand for most of the match and created the majority of chances before finally making the breakthrough in the 70th minute when Jack Bradshaw powered home a header.

All the early opening went the home side’s way, with Malins having a shot blocked in the first minute, and McGrandles seeing his free-header at the resulting corner clawed off the line by Sillitoe.

In the 6th minute Ricky Young came short to receive a throw-in, before turning and curling a decent effort beyond the far post. The near constant pressure continued as another dangerous ball into the box had to be headed out, and McGrandles shot over from 8-yards after Simpson failed to cut out another corner kick.

More free-kicks, corners and crosses into the Aylesbury box had to be dealt with, as on the whole United were defending well with Justin Gordon coming in for his first start of the season and having a good game in place of the unavailable Jack Wood.

In the 17th minute the greens finally made a break into Royston’s area as good work from Garcia freed Baines but his low cross/shot was turned behind for the Ducks’ first corner of the game, which Mulholland met at the back post but saw it deflected behind.

The second corner was well cleared by Royston for a throw-in, which subsequently dropped to Jones lurking on the edge of the box and he was unlucky as his half-volley skimmed the upright.

Aylesbury then strung together a passing move as Edgeworth released Jones, but Baines couldn’t beat the defender to his first time cross.

United’s scarce attacks punctuated the home side’s dominance, and good defending from Gordon kept Lockett at bay, before another three corners came to nothing. A great ball into space then released Malins whose cross to the far post was headed wide by Lockett.

On the half hour mark Simpson had a decent sighting of goal for Aylesbury, having used his strength to get behind the defence but he fired wide from the edge of the box. The chance gave United a boost and a couple of telling runs and crosses from King nearly paid dividends, when the second picked out Baines who, how only he will know, somehow dive-headed the ball over the bar from 6-yards out.

A few more half chances came the way of Royston before the break, before a Lockett smart turn and shot required Sillitoe to get down quickly on his near post and save, to ensure it remained goalless at the interval.

Half-time: Royston 0-0 Aylesbury

Although the second half began in much the same vein, Sillitoe having to catch a headed effort in the first minute, the Ducks had a great early chance of their own when the goalkeeper’s big kick down field bounced all the way through to Jones, but his volley lacked the power to beat Gibson.

Still the Royston pressure continued, as numerous corner kicks came to nothing, and Kaan Fehmi’s early shot nearly caught Sillitoe out. The ball briefly squirmed free of his grasp but he was able to smother Young’s follow up effort.

A good move from the Ducks saw Jones and Mercer link up down the left ending with the ball being played in to Simpson, who in turn teed up Garcia but he saw his fierce shot blocked bravely at close quarters.

At the other end, yet another Royston corner dropped to Standen, who fired in a volley which flashed just past the upright.

A minute later Sillitoe made a magnificent save to deny Kaan Fehmi’s shot to earn Royston what must have been at least their 15th corner. It proved one too many for United to defend against, as Bradshaw met the ball with a running jump and crashed a bullet header into the net. 1-0 Royston

Aylesbury soon responded with a triple substitution as on came Acheampong, Silvestri and Field, but time was against the Ducks and they were unable to find a way back into the match.

There was late controversy as the referee waved away a penalty appeal for an apparent handball, but that was as much as any United comeback amounted to as the Crows successfully shut up shop to secure their three-points.