Aylesbury answered any questions about their Step 4 credentials by taking all three points at Chalfont St. Peter, as a strong second half overturned an interval deficit to win 3-1.

After Rugby Town provided a tough introduction to Calor League football, there was one change to the lineup as Jason Blackett made his debut in place of Dean Allen.

This gave Aylesbury’s attack a new focal point, and the impressive former AFC Dunstable man scored within 90-seconds of the second half beginning, and then set up Jack Wood to complete the turnaround just eight minutes later.

The first period was a fairly even affair, and it was Chalfont who threatened first but Shane Wood closed down an opportunity after Michael Lewis hoisted in a cross. A corner kick two minutes later then caused danger when it swung all the way in and struck the legs of Jack Sillitoe, unusually rooted to his spot.

Michael Power-Simpson in the home goal was the first to be seriously tested though, when one of Shane Wood’s long throws catapulted into the area and dropped nicely for Ben Baines, whose effort had to be turned wide. Blackett headed the resulting corner well over.

Four minutes later and Sillitoe was also called upon, diving low to save after the ball was cut back for a waiting man in red and green.

Power-Simpson was nearly left embarrassed when his miscued clearance fell straight to Blackett, though he had enough to time to retreat sufficiently to save the attempted long, and five minutes later it was Chalfont who took the lead.

Successive corners ended with a lack of communication in the Aylesbury defence allowing the ball to be played back into the box, where midfielder Alan Hedley nipped in to guide the ball past Sillitoe, the Saints player receiving an almighty whack for his efforts and requiring treatment in the aftermath. 1-0 Chalfont

Far from denting United’s spirits, Aylesbury ended the half strongly with Armstrong getting on the end of a Williams free-kick delivery but levering the ball wide. The same player then saw a thunderous shot take a deflection before being superbly tipped over by Power-Simpson.

Steve Hatch headed over from close range, whilst Dom Petrucci might have done better with a low shot which went wide, after Blackett’s effort across goal landed at his feet.

Half-time: Chalfont 1-0 Aylesbury

Aylesbury’s chances were a sign of things to come, and the Ducks quickly drew level. Keith Williams’s set pieces were excellent throughout, and his corner was met with a bullet header from Blackett which was initially blocked on the goal line, but nothing was stopping him powering the rebound into the net. 1-1

A couple more United corners followed, before Chalfont were forced into a substitution as the struggling Hedley was replaced by Bedel Guei in midfield.

The Ducks gave the home side no time to settle and on 52 minutes edged in front with a fabulous goal. A neat, passing move saw the ball played into the feet of Blackett who in turn produced a clever backheel to set Jack Wood scampering free, and he ran through defenders and finished with aplomb. 2-1 Aylesbury

Chalfont rarely imposed themselves in the second period, but it wasn’t all plain sailing for Aylesbury and only a fine Sillitoe save kept long serving John Carroll at bay, after he met a training ground corner kick routine with a goalbound header, Sillitoe tipping the ball over.

Aylesbury continued to look the most likely scorers and following a home corner a swift counter saw men flooding forward, and eventually Hatch had a shot blocked. On the hour mark Jack Wood skied an effort after good build up down the right.

More scintillating football from the Ducks had Power-Simpson in action again, producing a fingertip save to keep Baines effort out. Zac Reynolds seized upon the rebound and was desperately unlucky to see his effort crash back off the crossbar.

With 25 minutes remaining, Chalfont made a double substitution, and two minutes later wasted their best chance of the game. A long shot skipped up off the turf awkwardly, Sillitoe only able to push the ball into the path of Daniel Hughes who could only lift the ball over the gaping goal.

The pace of the game was unrelenting, providing great entertainment for the 86 at Mill Meadow. Power-Simpson got down low to save a long shot, and then Armstrong released Reynolds down the left whose low ball across the face of goal somehow didn’t get the finish it deserved.

Keith Williams had a long free-kick tipped over by the busy Power-Simpson, but Chalfont weren’t quite a spent force and United had to defend strongly at times, Bill Morgan making one notable block.

Although Aylesbury were deserving of their lead, it needed a third goal to finally secure the three points and Ben Baines went on a one-man crusade in the 91st minute, head down and powering through t defence only to be halted by Power-Simpson who eventually smothered the ball.

The third goal, to settle any remaining nerves, finally arrived two minutes into stoppage time. Petrucci did brilliantly to outmanoeuvre his opponents before lifting the ball into Reynolds’s path, and he too finished expertly. 3-1 Aylesbury

A late corner for the Saints was once again well seen out by Aylesbury who, apart from the one blot when conceding the opening goal, defended excellently all night.

Full time soon followed and the Ducks were able to celebrate a well deserved three points. Next up is a trip to Chertsey Town.