Aylesbury made it a league double over Buckinghamshire rivals Marlow as goals from strikers Lewis Putman and Jason Blackett helped the Ducks come from behind to win 2-1 as they kicked off a hat-trick of local derbies in winning style.

In an eventful match, testing circumstances made the victory even sweeter, as the Ducks fell behind in the first minute, missed a penalty and suffered two injuries - with Greg Williams forced to celebrate his 300th club appearance by deputising for more than half the game in goal.

After their well earned point against Chalfont St. Peter, Shane Wood and Bill Morgan were both unavailable, so in came John Mulholland and Shaun Owens, with Steve Hatch switching to right back. New defensive signing Tinashe Chabate was a late withdrawal but was named on the bench anyway.

It took just 38 seconds for the scoring to be opened, as the hosts took the lead. A left wing cross was poorly dealt with, allowing Lee Barney to hit the bar with a shot which again Aylesbury were unable to clear and Jamal Branker was on hand to fire home from close range. 1-0 Marlow

Just five minutes later and the Ducks were gifted a chance to restore parity when Jason Blackett went down under challenge from Rhys Paul, leading Mr Vallance to point to the spot, only for Putman to disappointingly blaze high and wide with his penalty.

The end to end, frantic start to the game continued with Branker going close with a lofted effort having latched onto a misdirected defensive header, before, for United, Blackett threaded the ball through for Putman whose low shot was held at the near post.

Still inside the first quarter of the hour, and Marlow had struck the woodwork through Barney for a second time, as he cut inside Mulholland and arched a shot over Jack Sillitoe which came back off the crossbar.

On 24 minutes a good cross from Putman on the left saw Owens hook a volley wide, and he repeated that with another off-target effort three minutes later after a corner kick was worked back out wide to Hatch who found Owens with a low cross.

Aylesbury had been growing in stature, and when their equaliser arrived on the half hour mark was just about deserved. Rhys Paul – who had earlier conceded the penalty – was robbed by Jake Bewley who instantly arrowed a low pass into the box for Lewis Putman who made no mistake this time with a high shot. 1-1

Five minutes later and Shaun Owens was carried from the pitch after appearing to be taken out just inside the area as Garnes gathered a high ball, and was replaced by Joey Acheampong.

Putman could have given Aylesbury the lead when he did superbly to bring down a Bewley cross, but having jinked his way past two defenders dragged his shot wide.

Branker then went close as he slammed a shot wide having been teed up, and in the process of diving for the attempted save Jack Sillitoe sadly dislocated the shoulder which kept him out of action last for three months later season and had to be helped from the pitch.

With Paul Edgeworth coming on, Williams donned the gloves for the second time in his Aylesbury career – having done similar in a game against Maidenhead United 12 years ago – and went on to keep a clean sheet as he had on that occasion.

Both sides still had time for chances before the interval, with Nathan Ashton crashing a shot over after Williams had hared from his line and Jason Blackett shooting wide at the other end having controlled a long ball.

Barney then curled a shot over, before Putman rounded off the half by shooting tamely straight at Garnes after Blackett had fashioned a great chance for him with his square pass.

Half-time: Marlow 1-1 Aylesbury

Despite the travelling fans’ expectations of a difficult second half, a far less eventful 45 minutes of football saw a dogged defensive performance from Aylesbury see them through, with Williams never having a save to make.

Putman had an early shot blocked, and Coulter poked straight at Garnes after Blackett had laid the ball back to him.

Marlow had their moments with a number of threatening set pieces – Williams having to punch the ball clear on several occasions – whilst Branker collected a pass in midfield before shooting wide from distance.

At this stage either side could have claimed the next goal as Acheampong blasted over following good work by Putman, and then the constantly dangerous Barney survived the handball shouts and ran through before slamming a shot into the side netting.

It was Aylesbury who scored the all important second goal fifteen minutes from the end.

A free kick delivery from Jesse Waites was directed deep to Jack Wood who headed across goal for Jason Blackett to joyfully find the net. 2-1 Aylesbury

Despite some tired legs (understatement) in the latter stages, the Ducks dealt admirably with anything their hosts had to throw at them, but aside from two corner kicks – both swept away at the near post – Marlow could find no way through.

The result was a first away win since September, and a very satisfying victory that sets the team up nicely ahead of their ‘Boxing Day’ clash with landlords Leighton Town.