For the second time in the space of a week, Aylesbury United went down to a 2-0 defeat to title-challenging Daventry Town, as their winless run was extended to six games. The hosts moved up to third as a result and remain hot on the heels of leaders Rugby and Dunstable.

Tony Joyce opted to start Stacey Field up front on his own in the absence of Saturday’s strike partner Jason Blackett, whilst the injured Steve Hatch was replaced by Shane Wood, and Richard Armstrong came in for Lee Grace.

The Ducks made a decent start to the first half, but as the time passed the pressure from the hosts eventually grew and by the interval it was a one-sided affair.

Town were by far the more effective in the final third, though clear cut chances for both sides were limited with United defending strongly.

The first came in the eighth minute when a deep cross from the left found Ashley Robinson unmarked, but the striker could only guide his header over the bar.

Midway through the half tricky winger Ross Oulton seized upon a weak clearance but saw his attempt charged down.

Soon afterwards, at the other end, Keith Williams flashed a decent free kick delivery all the way across goal, but with nobody able to make a decisive touch the ball went wide. Unfortunately that was the best of Aylesbury’s first half goalmouth action.

The pressure was growing and it was no surprise when the deadlock was broken on twenty-six minutes. An aerial pass forwards caught United’s defence square and set Tom Berwick away where he produced an exquisite lob over the stranded Jack Sillitoe and into the net, to the fury of the protesting Aylesbury men who felt the striker was offside. 1-0 Daventry

Berwick, who recently returned to the club after spells with Leamington, Corby, Hemel Hempstead and Stourbridge, was proving a real handful up front and he a further good chance when heading over a left wing cross. Sillitoe also made a superb save to tip over Berwick’s fierce drive after another single pass had cut out the United defence, as the Purples were restricted to a their slender advantage at the break.

Half-time: Daventry 1-0 Aylesbury

With the game heading one way at the interval, Aylesbury’s management recognised the need for fresh impetus and made a double change with wingers Daniel Jones and Lee Grace replacing defensive midfielders Richard Armstrong and Greg Williams.

The result was a brighter performance from the Ducks, and they nearly had an immediate goal back when Keith Williams’s throw in was headed goalwards by Bill Morgan, but goalkeeper Richard Morris was equal to the effort with a fine tip over.

The Ducks also introduced Joey Acheampong as a new focal point in attack, but breaking down the resolute and well organised Daventry ranks – superbly marshalled by one-time Aylesbury loanee Liam Dolman – was proving a tough ask as every attack was repelled without even reaching the penalty area.

On seventy minutes it looked set to be game over as Jack Wood was rather softly penalised in the area, but Sillitoe made a great save to parry away Dolman’s spot kick and keep the Ducks in the game.

It then turned into something of a double save as he was off his line quickly to smother a through ball after Town had regained possession and tried to force their way into the box.

In making himself big United’s number one, having a great game, then did enough to distract Berwick who slotted wide of an open goal five minutes later.

Aylesbury continued to battle hard in their quest for a point, with Jack Wood flicking the ball over from a low cross after a corner kick was worked back in, whilst a Keith Williams driven free kick ricocheted into the box but fell kindly for Daventry to clear.

Acheampong was booked for a bizarre handball incident when he, presumably in desperation, deliberately controlled a pass on the run with his palm before finding the net, before the game was finally put the bed by the hosts two minutes from time.

With the Ducks committing numbers forward for a free kick, Daventry broke quickly and the ball was worked on the right to Adam Confue whose square pass missed its intended target but fell kindly for Mykel Beckley who couldn’t miss from six-yards. 2-0 Daventry

Prior to that, Aylesbury had remained very much in the game in what was overall a decent performance that they can take further heart from going into another tough fixture against Dunstable Town.