A 92nd minute goal denied Aylesbury their first point of the season as Royston Town nicked all three right at the death at Bell Close with a 1-0 win.

The Ducks had played well; battled hard against their opponents, defended excellently when needed to and gone close on a number of occasions, notably in the first half when hitting the bar and having an effort cleared off the line.

Royston were depleted opponents, according to manager Paul Attfield missing eight regulars, but they were still able to name Craig Hammond – prolific in the last few seasons with Cambridge City – and the vastly experienced Adrian Cambridge amongst their lineup.

Tony Joyce, meanwhile, was without Steve Hatch, but Stacey Field was reinstated to the starting lineup in one of three changes as Lee Grace and Liam Smyth were also handed places in the team.

For the first twenty minutes the visitors were well on top as Aylesbury had to work hard to keep them at bay. A first minute volley was blocked following a number of early corners, whilst Hammond, integral in most of the Crows good work, spread the ball wide to John Bitting who fired an effort wide of the diving Jack Sillitoe’s post.

Another Royston long shot trickled wide a minute later, and the eventual match winner Ross Collins volleyed high and wide after a 17th minute free kick was headed out to him.

United finally registered a shot at goal in the 19th minute but it was badly miscued by Dom Petrucci and ended up as a pass out wide to Lee Grace, but Jason Blackett did slightly better when he toe poked an effort over the bar as slowly but surely the hosts grew in confidence.

The Ducks had more defending to do when Bill Morgan was penalised for a challenge but, with thoughts turned to the two direct free kicks that goals were lost to on Saturday, Joe De La Salle stepped up and blazed his 30-yard shot well over the crossbar.

His centre half partner Jack Bradshaw then followed suit by comfortably clearing the crossbar, this time from much closer range, as a low corner kick picked him out in the box.

The closing fifteen minutes of the half belonged to the Ducks but luck was against them when first Richard Armstrong met Keith Williams’s corner well only to see the ball scrambled clear off the line.

Four minutes later another dangerous delivery into Royston’s six yard box was scrambled away and in stoppage time only the crossbar denied a brilliant volley from Grace which thundered back, but didn’t fall kindly for anyone in green to profit.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-0 Royston

A half time change by the Ducks saw Ben Baines replace the unwell Richard Armstrong, who now begins a one-match suspension.

The Crows forced the Ducks to make two good defensive blocks in a couple of seconds in the first minute of the second half before they then proceeded to miss an open goal. A move down the left saw the ball cut back from the byeline for Mitchell Bryant who somehow scooped it over from close range.

As the game opened up, Aylesbury then had a turn to threaten through a Stacey Field flicked header from Lee Grace’s cross.

United’s best chance fell to Jason Blackett when a long ball out of defence caught Royston cold, the striker running clean through and attempting a lob which George Lawton managed to turn wide.

Blackett’s strength caused the visitors problems throughout and after he won a free-kick United were out of luck again when Keith William’s ball into the six yard area richocheted kindly for Lawton to eventually claim.

Both sides continued to have chances with Bradshaw firing through a crowd and wide following a throw in, and a goalbound low shot by Bryant being cleared away in front of goal, whilst Lawton’s flawless goalkeeping kept Aylesbury at bay when he sprang from his line quickly to beat Grace to a through ball and then did well to hold onto a Blackett effort after he got the better of his marker.

Then came the Crows’ turn to hit the woodwork, as both sets of players seemed transfixed by Bryant’s curler that struck the base of the upright before bouncing clear.

Soon afterwards, another Blackett shot was once again well fielded by young keeper Lawton and Cambridge went close with an arrowed low effort, before Greg Williams was brought on in midfield to replace Liam Smyth who appeared to be struggling with cramp.

Both sides made further substitutions with Joey Acheampong entering the fray for Aylesbury, but with only four minutes of normal time remaining the Ducks looked to have done enough for a hard earned and deserved point.

Royston had other ideas though and the killer blow arrived two minutes into stoppage time. Hammond produced a moment of magic as he half volleyed a dipping shot that cannoned back off the cross and fell kindly for the waiting Collins to fire into the net. 1-0 Royston

Supporters and players alike were left despondent and although a further two minutes remained, the best United could muster was a free-kick pumped into the box which was punched away by Lawton.

It was cruel on Aylesbury who were good value for a point, but will have to go on waiting to get off the mark at Bell Close with cup games taking priority once gain. On this evidence though, that elusive first home result isn’t far away.