The introduction of the home side's top scorer, Ian Cooper, proved to be the turning point as within five minutes of arriving on the pitch he had played a direct part in setting up Kevin Ashwood for the opener.

Cooper fired home himself midway through the half to put the game beyond Aylesbury, before Colney added a third third on 75 minutes with a poacher's finish from substitute Jermaine Davey after a good save by Jack Sillitoe.

United showed two changes from their Thursday night trip to St. Margaretsbury with David King replacing the suspended Mark Toms at the heart of defence, and Justin Gordon replacing Daniel Jones on the left wing, but, despite an improved performance, the final outcome remained the same.

An even start to the match saw Kevin Ashwood blast a free-kick over the bar, before the same player sliced a volley wide after Sean Brettell knocked the ball down for him, whilst for Aylesbury Ben Baines saw a shot blocked after good work by Lea Coulter.

Neither side were creating much in the way of clear cut chances, as another speculative effort came in from Colney’s Mark Teasdale this time after he had been allowed to drift inside.

Coulter tried his luck from range having taken the ball down well, but could only shoot straight at Blackman when a pass outside to Gordon might have been the better option. He then had an effort blocked in the area after Blackman had flapped at a corner kick.

United’s best chance of the half fell to Ben Baines, who received the ball from Gordon’s touch on but couldn’t get enough purchase on his shot and Blackman was able to catch the ball.

The closing stages of the first half largely belonged to Colney and Dan Staples went close with a flicked header after King had conceded a cheap free-kick.

Jack Sillitoe made a good save to keep Jason Williams out after some slick passing had set him free for a one-on-one, but Sillitoe made himself big to smother his effort.

Half-time: Colney Heath 0-0 Aylesbury

The home side’s defence continued to prove inpenetrable after the interval, and Staples got in a crucial defensive intervention to take the ball away just as Baines was about to strike Gordon’s cross.

On 51 minutes they introduced Cooper, and four minutes later had the lead with the substitute directly involved. A well worked move down the left ended with the ball played into Cooper, and he quickly squared it to Ashwood who finished well. 1-0 Colney Heath

A couple more misdirected efforts from Colney Heath followed as Ashton and Taylor both got their shots all wrong.

Aylesbury nearly levelled when Coulter produced his best moment of the game by coming inside and curling an effort past Blackman, but cruelly rebounding off the far post. Townsend should have buried the rebound at close quarters but scuffed his weak effort wide with the goal gaping

It proved to be only a brief moment of promise as Heath soon doubled their advantage. A quick throw in was fed to Cooper who got the better of King to get goalside and fire easily past Sillitoe. 2-0 Colney Heath

Now there was no coming back for United and nine minutes later things got even worse when another substitute Jermaine Davey netted a poachers goal having followed up after Sillitoe made a good save to deny Carl Ashton 3-0 Colney Heath

Aylesbury had a succession of corners come to nothing in the proceeding minutes, and despite the introduction of all three of their substitutes still couldn’t make an impact on the game with Steve Barker and Dan Staples indomitable at the back for Colney.

Staples was sent off late on for a second bookable offence but the game was well over by then, and after Mulholland fired a low, long distance drive wide of the target the final whistle was sounded.

The Ducks now have a week’s break to hopefully recuperate and recharge some batteries ahead of the visit of local rivals Tring Athletic.