A ‘must win’ game in Aylesbury’s battle of survival was won; Bruno Brito’s superb double strike helping the Ducks to a 3-0 win over bottom-markers North Greenford United.

Having been rested a week earlier, Greg Williams scored the third on his return to the starting lineup, where he was joined by other returnees Lea Coulter, Vinnie Shrieves and Stacey Field.

The hosts were on top from the start with Sonny French having a couple of probing runs at the visiting defence, but there was nothing to show for their bright opening until the 12th minute.

Shaun Owens sprayed a good pass left to Jake Bewley, who in turn helped the ball over his opposing defender Sam Addae to Brito who had no hesitation in going for goal with a sumptuous, accurate volley that found nestled high in the side netting. 1-0 Aylesbury

Greenford posed some threat as they forced a succession of three corners, but it was the Ducks who still looked more likely to score – Lewis Todd making a decent save to palm a French shot wide after good strength from Shrieves to set him up.

The resulting Jake Bewley corner was flicked just wide at the near post by Williams, and, two minutes later, Bewley was involved again when his low cross was hooked over by Field.

Left midfielder Charlie Mitchell was proving himself to be a dangerman for the away side, and when he was given space midway through the first half drove in a well placed shot that Zaki Oualah had to tip wide.

It was therefore to Greenford’s disadvantage when recently signed defender Mason Yorke’s departure to injury meant Mitchell having to fill in as a makeshift left back for the remainder of the game.

Aylesbury kept up their search for a second goal with Owens and French both unable to profit from Todd’s flap when Brito had turned the ball back across goal, the midfield duo seeing their respective shots blocked, before a Ricky Brown cross was headed wide by Brito a minute later.

Then followed Greenford’s best chance of the half, inadvertently set up by Jack Wood whose clearing header cannoned back off Williams and was swiftly helped on for Charlie Conner, but his early shot was easily dived on by Oualah.

The elusive second finally arrived two minutes from the break. Owens was involved again as he fed Field on the right, who left player/manager Daniel Bennell floundering before picking out Brito in the box and the Portuguese showed great composure to bring the ball down, cut inside his marker and find the net. 2-0 Aylesbury

Half-time: Aylesbury 2-0 North Greenford

With their deserved, and rather comfortable, lead in the bag, Aylesbury made something of a laboured start to the second half.

Greenford accepted the invitation to raise their game, but only had longshots to show for their efforts with Piotr Marek’s audacious effort nowhere near the goal. Substitute Sandro Costa did fare slightly better when he cut in from the left and drilled a strong shot narrowly wide.

Just as the visitors seemed to be on the up, and just after Brito had gone agonisingly close with a sensational overhead kick, Aylesbury netted a third to put the game to bed once and for all.

Unlike earlier, the Bewley/Williams flag kick routine came up trumps this time as Williams met the delivery with a near post diving header that found the net through a crowd of players. 3-0 Aylesbury

The veteran midfielder was then imposing himself at the other end of the pitch, Williams throwing himself at the ball to block from Charlie Conner after surge down the right and cut back from Glenn Yala.

The closing stages saw Aylesbury with a number of chances to extend their lead further, with Field dragging a shot wide from the edge of the area after French had brought the ball forward.

Field did have the ball in the net in the 81st minute after a clipped pass forward from substitute Alvin Rajaram left him with a simple finish, but the flag had long been raised for offside.

Five minutes later Rajaram played the ball to the overlapping Brown whose ball into the box found Owens who could only direct difficult header straight at Todd.

The last action of the match saw Owens lead a break before freeing Sonny French for a clean run at goal but be seemed to be caught in two minds whether to pass or shoot and the chance was gone.

With Leighton Town losing their match against AFC Rushden & Diamonds, this very welcome result for Aylesbury – their biggest league win of the season - sees the Ducks climb back out of the relegation zone.