Improving Aylesbury were denied a deserved point by a last-gasp Rugby Town goal; the spirited Ducks twice drawing level only for Will Grocott’s 88th minute strike cruelly robbing them of their share of the spoils.

Two changes from the victorious Berks & Bucks Cup quarter final side of midweek saw Jake Bewley replace the unavailable Daniel Mead, whilst the late arriving Jason Blackett was dropped to the bench and replaced by youngster Orlando Joao – making his full debut.

In defence, John Mulholland retained his place for his first league match since recovering from his knee injury, and he was later to play a part in both Aylesbury goals.

The early withdrawal of striker Seb Lake-Gaskin with injury was a blow for the visitors, in what was a fairly even opening quarter hour to the game.

That aside, it was a testing first period for the Ducks who came under increasing pressure from their dominant visitors.

In the 16th minute David Kolodynski went close to adding to his 20 goals when Bewley gifted the ball straight to him, Rugby’s all-time leading goalscorer striking an instant shot which clipped the crossbar on its way over.

Moments later Valley showed intent with Marsden driving an effort past the upright, and it was the same player who did eventually open the deadlock, although he had to wait until the 29th minute to do so.

A slick move unpicked Aylesbury’s defence and substitute Lewis Rankin squared for Marsden whose effort was slightly scuffed, but still had the direction to beat Sillitoe allowing him to celebrate scoring for the fourth game in succession. 1-0 Rugby

Just before that, United’s first attacking move of note had seen Stacey Field ride a challenge before finding Steve Hatch in the area, whose shot looped upwards off a defender before being hacked away. Coulter and Field combined, with the latter’s low cross not quite reaching Hatch and half cleared to Owens who shot wide from range.

Rugby were largely in control though, and had good chances to extend their lead with Grocott’s deep cross into the box flicked wide by Kolodynski and a shot from Sam Youngs deflected wide for a corner, which was taken short and worked to Marsden who went for a delicately placed shot that was cleared.

Another flowing move from the visitors ended with Youngs placing a shot wide after a low ball into the box was cleverly dummied, allowing the Ducks to get to half time and able to regroup just the one goal behind.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-1 Rugby

The early second half running was made by Aylesbury as Joao miscued a shot well wide and a long throw from Shane Wood lead to a scramble in the box, but at the other end Rankin fired a curling effort wide after a passing move involving Marsden, Koloynski and Austin.

In the 55th minute Richard Morris was called into his first save of the match, getting down to make a smart stop from Field’s first time shot after he had been well found by Hatch.

Three minutes later and United were level. Owens delivered a free kick to the far post which was met by the towering figure of Mulholland, nodding the ball back across goal where Field was waiting to force it over the line from close range. 1-1

Almost immediately Jack Wood went close to giving Aylesbury the lead when he guided Orlando Joao’s dangerous corner kick wide, before Field sent a 35-yard free kick over the bar and substitute Jason Blackett headed an Owens delivery into the net but had his effort ruled out for offside.

Having weathered the storm from the hosts, Rugby began to grow in stature as the minutes ticked by, and when a low ball was fired into the box Jack Sillitoe did well to claw it away, and then smother the backheeled follow up from Kolodynski.

After successive crosses into the box were headed out by the beleaguered United defence, Banks crashed a shot wide from range but it wasn’t long until Rugby’s lead was re-established.

Another neat passing move had Aylesbury cut open, and Kolodynski provided the assist of a low ball across the box which was easily converted by Rankin for his first goal in Rugby colours. 2-1 Rugby

This time, the lead lasted just four minutes as the Ducks drew level once more.

Jason Blackett had spurned a good chance when he latched onto Field’s flick but could only finish weakly at Morris, but it was man of the moment Mulholland who had a pick part to play in what was eventually an own goal – helping on a throw from the right which cannoned into the net off defender Alex Gudger. 2-2

To their credit, Rugby simply wouldn’t lie down, refusing to accept the possibility of not collecting all three points and a great saving challenge from Shane Wood kept them at bay, before a searching ball into the box was headed wide by Youngs.

The pressure eventually told two minutes from time, and was particularly cruel on Sillitoe, who had made a fine save to beat away Rankin’s strong shot, only for Grocott to be on hand to smash home the rebound, which appeared to be going in before it took a big deflection. 3-2 Rugby

Now there was no time for an Aylesbury comeback, and the Ducks had to accept the fate of another league defeat, but with a much improved display can look forward to their upcoming fixtures. If the performance levels can be maintained then those all important points won’t be far away.