After back-to-back home wins, Aylesbury had reason to go into this game with Godalming Town in good spirits, but by full time found themselves back to square one having thrown away a winning position and ending up empty handed.

The Ducks looked to be on track when they were comically gifted the lead in the first minute of the second half, but a noticeable fade and the loss of forwards Stacey Field and Tyrone Taylor resulted in the Gs turning things around to ultimately score an 81st minute winner.

Both sides hit the crossbar in a close fought first half, Aylesbury after only four minutes when Jake Bewley pinched the ball before driving an instant shot goalwards that goalkeeper Richard Ossai did well to save and turn onto the woodwork.

In the blustery conditions Godalming had the wind advantage in the first period, but struggled to make any real headway until the 17th minute. Former Gs custodian Zaki Oualah was tested for the first time, having to improvise to smuggle the ball behind after Tom Willment had met Will Hutton’s corner kick.

Danny Bassett – with four goals in five games after a recent move from Egham – might have had his fifth goal for the club on the twenty minute mark when Chris Musgrove passed to him after another Will Hutton corner, but he blazed high over the crossbar.

Eight minutes later and Musgrove was involved again, crossing this time to Graeme Purdy who crashed a close range header against the bar.

Although combining well in attacking areas, Aylesbury were largely being restricted to long shots as Shaun Owens latched onto a Daniel Jones pass but placed the ball wide from range, whilst Sonny French linked up with Tyrone Taylor but shot straight at Ossai in his first involvement since replacing the injured Field five minutes before the break.

Purdy was sent off within ten minutes of his introduction as a substitute when the sides had last met, but he was a constant thorn in Aylesbury’s side this time out and nearly opened the scoring when Oualah’s goal kick caught in the wind and presented him a decent chance that he could only plant wide.

On the stroke of half time only a well timed intervention from Collard prevented Will Hutton’s wicked, and wind-aided, inswinging corner kick causing serious damage, and although the visitors had been more productive in the final third neither side could truly claim dominance as the half-time whistle sounded.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-0 Godalming

The loss of Tyrone Taylor at the interval was a blow to the Ducks, but it was soon forgotten as United got off to the perfect start in comical fashion. Greg Williams’s pot shot from outside the area was heading wide, and even when it deflected off Ashley Lloyd there appeared no danger with Ossai well stationed, but he carelessly let the ball squirm through his legs and over the line. 1-0 Aylesbury

The buoyant Ducks then set about trying to double their lead as they sensed unease surrounding the visiting defence. French intercepted the ball, ran on and wasn’t far away with a half volley that flew over, and the same player tested Ossai again on the hour mark with a long shot that he just about held onto.

Just prior to that Oualah made a fine stop to keep Bassett at bay after Ricky Brown – otherwise looking assured in his first Southern League appearance – gave the ball away and a through ball released the striker. Louis Hutton collected the rebound but slotted it wide with the goal at his mercy.

Jones, also playing his first league match since returning to the club, usually such a threat from set pieces, would have been disappointed with a 63rd minute free kick which barely left the ground before clipping the wall and dropping wide.

Godalming were getting closer and when Willment took down Darren Wheeler’s corner kick but fired wide there was a sense that a goal was imminent.

It duly arrived four minutes later and in circumstances almost as laughable/tragic as those which led to Aylesbury’s. Jack Wood’s pass back was a little too firm in its delivery, Oualah’s first touch a lot too heavy presenting the ball straight to Purdy who wasn’t going to err when presented with an empty goal. 1-1

Aylesbury looked to hit straight back with the impressive French taking a pass from fellow substitute Shiblu Miah before drifting past a defender and forcing a save from Ossai with a well struck shot.

It was Town who were in the ascendancy though and Oualah made another good stop to deny his former teammate Purdy who had made a strong run through the defence.

A minute later and Gs had the lead their pressure warranted, but another hugely disappointing goal for Aylesbury to concede. A throw in from the right was worked quickly across to Darren Wheeler, and the tricky winger produced a finish of stunning power and accuracy with Oualah barely able to react before it hit the net. 2-1 Godalming

With nine minutes still to play, Aylesbury had some late pressure with Lea Coulter and Jones involved in the area before the ball eventually fell to Williams who could only send the ball sailing over the bar.

Bassett, meanwhile, had a further chance of his own when he went on a long dribble but his final shot was easily saved by Oualah as the match ended 2-1.

Far from a terrible performance by Aylesbury, but these are the types – just the very similar one at Fleet two weeks previously - of games Glyn Creaser’s men need to be taking the points from if they are to ease their relegation fears this season.