Having confirmed their Premier Division status with the fine 2-1 win at Boreham Wood?s Meadow Park on Monday night, the Ducks could afford to relax a little going into this final home game of the season, at home to mid-table Bishop?s Stortford. With the prospect of a mid-table or even top-half finish still possible however, there was plenty still to play for.

Steve Cordery made three changes to the starting line-up from Monday?s game. Ryan Wiffin, making his full league debut, and Roni Joe came in up front for Craig Maskell and Chris Bangura. Daniel Gordon also got a well-earned rest, as he made a rare appearance on the bench, replaced at centre back by Ben Martin.

The kick-off was delayed, due to the Stortford team being held up in motorway traffic, and when the game eventually did begin at 8.20 p.m., it was less than inspiring. Indeed, it took eleven minutes for either side to produce an effort on goal, the first coming from Stortford?s Glen Southam, whose decent swerving shot was at a good height for Lee Worgan to save. Aylesbury?s first attempt came quickly afterwards, but Adam Campion?s effort was well wide of the mark.

After an uninspiring start from both sides, it was a little surprising when, on 14 minutes, the away side opened the scoring. A low cross from the right was sent into the bottom corner from six yards by Andy Aransibia. 1-0 Bishop?s Stortford.

Aylesbury looked unlikely to produce an equaliser, as the game continued to be very scrappy, with the ball constantly being given away by both sides. Aylesbury?s best chance of an equaliser came as a cross from Adam Campion was directed just too far behind Roni Joe, who couldn?t direct his header.

With 42 minutes played, the visitors doubled their lead, as a corner from the left was swung in towards the near post and Stortford centre back Rob Gould, who flicked his header into the back of the net from a few yards. 2-0 Bishop?s Stortford.

United did begin to push forward in the moments before half-time, as Ben Martin shot high and wide. Marien Ifura then appeared to score his first Ducks goal when he headed home Campion?s corner, but it was unfortunately disallowed by referee Mr. Tingey.

In the early moments of the second half, an already odd game got even odder, as half the Buckingham Road floodlights suddenly went out. There was, however, easily enough visibility to continue the match.

Stortford began the second half quite well, as Alex Riches hit a half-volley just over the bar. Then came a real chance to completely kill the game off, as a long ball from the defence took Glen Southam clear of the Ducks? backline. Southam took the ball past the despairing Lee Worgan, but Andy Aransibia couldn?t direct his header following Southam?s far post cross.

Steve Cordery rang the changes in the second half, making use of what has to be as good a Ducks bench as I?ve ever seen! Danny Gordon, Chris Bangura and Greg Williams all came on, and Williams made an immediate impact following his introduction. His right-wing cross was met by left wing-back Alex Stanley, whose looping header beat Stortford keeper Micky Desborough, for his first Aylesbury goal, unless you count his penalty during the shoot-out at Windsor ? which I don?t.

This goal was enough to send the Chicken Run into song, the new Alex Stanley jingle getting it?s first Buckingham Road airing ? for at least ten continuous minutes! Indeed, the party atmosphere continued throughout the rest of the game.

The Ducks did look as though they may equalise in the last twenty minutes. Roni Joe had one header well saved by Desborough, before shooting just wide a couple of minutes later. Alex Stanley?s freekick was met by Marien Ifura, who could only direct a weak header a few yards wide. Finally, substitute Chris Bangura headed a chance over the bar, but it wasn?t to be, as the Ducks fell to only their sixth home defeat of the season ? not a bad record for a side that was recently in the relegation zone.