Aylesbury's playoff hopes suffered another big blow with a narrow home defeat by Bury Town, another team in contention for that coveted fifth place.

As in the previous meeting between the two, the sides were well matched but it was the Blues who did just enough to take all three points.

The visitors' direct style and attacking pace caused the Ducks problems for most of the night, and the first chance came when Sam Reed outpaced CarlKavanagh but could only slot the ball wide of the target with just Tom Vincent to beat.

That warning wasn't enough though, as two minutes later from an identical situation Sam Reed broke free again. This time there was hesitation in the lines and as Vincent came off his line he collided with Reed, and the referee controversially awarded a penalty. It was aninnocuous looking collision between the two players, and despite an apparent flag the other way from the linesman Lee Reed was allowed to step up and roll the ball past Vincent. 0-1

Aylesbury were temporarily stunned by the goal but they recovered enough to have their first meaningful effort on goal after 20 minutes. A long free-kick was touched down by Lafayette into the path of Marsh whose shot looped up off a defender and over the bar.

Three minutes later a good chance fell the way of Glen Hawkins, recalled in the absence of Nathan Graham - who is preparing for his Friday night fight with JJ Bird. Mealor's ball in from the left picked out United's top scorer but he could only fire high and wide.

Bury were still just as much of a threat at the other end, and a decent spell of pressure saw Aylesbury unable to clear their lines and Liam Barrett was able to poke a shot goalwards but it was easily fielded by Vincent.

Aylesbury should have levelled on the half hour mark. A fantastic right-wing cross had Marcus Garnham flapping and beaten to the ball by Hawkins, but with an empty goal to aim at and under no pressure he struck the upright with his header.

Lafayette latched onto a throw-in and flicked a header all the way across goal, and Daniel Mead had an effort deflected as the chances continued to come and go for United.

It was a similar story for The Blues though, as Lee Smith had a shot which was comfortably held by Vincent after Barrett showed good strength to retainpossession.

Ben Stevens suffered more injury woe and had to be replaced five minutes from the break by Ross Taylor, with James Saulsbury switching to right-back.

Bury then had two good chances to 'bury' the Ducks (groan). Taylor was given a baptism of fire when Sam Reed flew past him at pace but Vincent did well to win the one-on-one and save low with his legs.

On the stroke of half-time the defence were caught out again to a long ball which Lee Reed this time displayed just as much pace as his brother, but his finish was poor and he slotted the ball past the post to the relief ofUnited's players.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-1 Bury Town

Aylesbury were much improved after the break, but repeatedly struggled to find a way past their opponents. With too many important players not on top of their games, it was increasingly looking like that decision by Mr Fielding was to be the deciding factor.

The Ducks made a strong start to the half, and had a decent chance when Hawkins was put away down the left, his near post cross headed just over by Chris Marsh.

Some decent pressure four minutes later eventually ended with the ball breaking to Marsh, but his left-footed effort was placed too high and curled over the bar.

Apart from a Ross Taylor header at a corner kick which dropped over the bar, that was about as close as Aylesbury came to getting back on level terms.

Bury defended resolutely and despite bringing on all three of their allowed substitutes, United were unable to find a way through.

Instead, they sloppily allowed the Blues to score a second, with the referee involved again. A clear looking free-kick against CarlKavanagh went unpunished, and with the Ducks not following the old adage of 'playing to the whistle' they froze, and the ball was played across to Callum Kearns who had acres of space to pick out a precise finish into the bottom corner. 0-2

With the introduction of Mark Jones following the goal, Chris Marsh was pushed into attack and he had an immediate impact. Racing onto a through ball he went clean through only to be unceremoniously brought down en route to goal by Russell Short. Mr Fielding was left little option but to award the penalty and show Short a red card: his second dismissal at The Meadow in eleven days after a similar fate against Chesham recently.

James Saulsbury stepped up to convert the subsequent penalty, his first goal for the club, and give the Ducks some brief hope going into the final few minutes.

Aylesbury threw plenty of bodies forward, but despite some sustained pressure, there was to be no comeback and Bury Town were able to make the long trip home with all three points in the bag.