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A difficult night in Middlesex for Aylesbury saw the Ducks ship four goals in a crazy ten minute spell at the start of the second half, as hosts Uxbridge ran out 4-2 winners.

Already without strikers Lewis Putman (suspended) and Jason Blackett, United’s squad was further decimated by the late arrival of Stacey Field, Jesse Waites and Zack Reynolds (recently returned from Hemel Hempstead Town), who were all caught up by the closure of the M1.

That meant a baptism of fire for sixteen year old Alex Little, who was thrust into his senior debut from the start as he partnered Paul Edgeworth in attack.

For his hour on the pitch Little never looked out of place, and could claim an assist for the early opener. His short pass found Shaun Owens, making his first start since his pre-Christmas injury, and he had no hesitation in powering in a 30-yard shot which left keeper Paul McCarthy rooted to the spot as it flew in off the post. 1-0 Aylesbury

Seconds later and only a fine save from Hitchin loanee goalkeeper Tahj Bell preserved United’s lead, as a cross in from the left was met by a flying Craig Tomkins header only for Bell to tip it wide. Five minutes later and it was the same again – Uxbridge cross, Tomkins header, Bell kept the ball out.

Uxbridge kept up the pressure and after some neat passing and a diagonal run across the area from Jack Groves he crossed into the box, where Kevin Warner slid in but could only put the ball wide under pressure.

Although the Reds were dominating, it wasn’t entirely one-way traffic and after a long throw finally dropped to Jake Bewley, his rasping effort had to be tipped over in the 20th minute.

Tomkins threatened again when his fierce shot was spilled by Bell, but Groves was too slow to react to the rebound, whilst Bell was forced to touch over a header from Ryan Phillips’ free kick delivery as further chances came and went.

The Uxbridge number ten, with four goals in his previous two games, continued to be a menace but twice failed to hit the target with shots from outside the box having got the better of the defence.

Aylesbury then ended the half with mixed emotions as Jake Bewley got past ex-Ducks defender Kevin Ayodele before hanging up across which Steve Hatch was unable to guide into the net, but moments later the latter was left in a heap making a challenge, later forced off with a knee injury to add to United’s player problems.

Half-time: Uxbridge 0-1 Aylesbury

The second half started with the Reds on the front foot again, the ball being worked to Tomkins who once again failed to find his range as he dragged a low long shot wide.

Although Greg Williams went close when he cracked a half cleared corner just over the bar, Aylesbury’s slender lead, which belied the true nature of the game to that point, was about to be wiped out in spectacular style as Uxbridge clicked into gear.

The Ducks were unable to clear their lines as Danny Julienne and Matt Woods combined in the box, the ball falling nicely for Julienne to thump home and give Bell no chance. 1-1

That goal was the catalyst for the turnaround which saw a devastating onslaught, during which Aylesbury had no answers to their hosts’ potent attacking movement.

Four minutes later Bell did excellently to keep the ball out from a combination of Cole and Groves at close range, but less than a minute later and Uxbridge were ahead when the irrepressible Tomkins finally got his reward as he joyfully volleyed home Groves’ cross. 2-1 Uxbridge

Aylesbury responded by introducing Reynolds for the struggling Hatch, and there was some brief respite as a low Greg Williams shot was kept out by McCarthy.

A third goal soon arrived though when the tricky Woods worked his way into the box before cracking home a powerful strike. 3-1 Uxbridge

And the dramatic capitulation was completed when Woods shot was saved by Bell, but Warner was on hand to tap into the net and become the fourth home goalscorer of the evening. 4-1 Uxbridge

Aylesbury were reeling, and Tony Joyce quickly threw on Stacey Field and Jesse Waites. Zack Reynolds showed some fleeting moments of promise, including one trademark long dribble which ultimately came to nothing, but the game was now well beyond the Ducks.

Bell made another save when he tipped Groves’ shot over after Julienne had laid the ball off to him, and three minutes later another spell of home side passing ended with Cole firing straight at the goalkeeper.

The game had looked to be heading to a quiet conclusion with the hosts happy to play ‘keep ball’ in the corners, much to Bell’s audible frustration.

That was until Field popped up in the 90th minute to fire home his 101st Aylesbury goal from close range and give the travelling fans something to cheer, though it was scant consolation on a difficult evening. 2-4