Aylesbury crashed to their first defeat of the season at lowly Northwood, as the apparent jinx of playing the league's bottom placed side struck again. The home side fully deserved their win, with United left to ponder a lacklustre performance.
The opening signs were positive, and the Ducks had the first sight of goal after eight minutes. Daniel Mead stole in from the left flank to strike a volley that dipped onto the top of the goal.
But then disaster struck, and Northwood took a fifteenth minute lead. A lofted ball forward had United's defence beaten, and Scott McCafferty found himself as last man with Gavin Hart. Hart won the battle to fire the ball in off the post and give his side the advantage. 1-0 Northwood
Midway through the half Liam Dolman rose to guide a Drew Roberts corner wide at the far post, then Paul Edgeworth hit a fierce effort just wide. Liam Folds went closer still with a thumping drive, having been played in by Jaggard just outside the area.
But it was Northwood who were still the most threatening. Peter Dean's direct and speedy running was posing a big threat to Aylesbury, and he had a shot comfortably saved by Rashid, but then doubled Northwood's lead seven minutes before the break.
Another long ball over the top had the visitors' backline floundering, and Dean nipped in on the end of the pass to round Rashid and roll the ball into the empty net. 2-0 Northwood
Half-time: Northwood 2-0 Aylesbury
Northwood could have increased their scoreline almost straight from the restart. Substitute Ryan Kirkland delivered a teasing cross which Dean glanced wide of the post. Richard McDonagh then saw a shot cleared off the line by Liam Folds.
United's first opening of the second period came after 56 minutes. Good work down the left by Daniel Mead allowed him to slot the ball through for Roberts, who shot just wide from a difficult angle.
With half an hour remaining, Aylesbury finally pulled themselves back into the game. A quickly taken free-kick was rolled to McCafferty, and his raking pass found Darran Hay who powered home a header for his first goal in green and white. 2-1 Northwood
Suddenly United had reason to be optimistic but chances were still in short supply. McCafferty hit an absolute belter of a drive from 30-yards which whistled past the post, and Edgeworth blazed a volley over the bar ten minutes later as time began to run out.
Former Ducks striker Darren Grieves nearly scored against his former employers, running through with the ball at his feet, but scuffing his effort wide.
Gary Crawshaw's addition to the Aylesbury attack added a different dimension, and he nearly set up an equalising goal. Roni Joe the recipient of the ball shot just wide having turned smartly in the area.
The final action of a miserable evening for United saw a late free-kick charged down by the defensive wall, before debutant Lee Grant fired the rebound well over the bar.
Full-time was blown soon after on a massively disappointing game for Aylesbury after such a strong start to the season.
