Aylesbury’s 100% record at the Gosling Sports Park continued with a 2-0 win over Hatfield Town as veteran former Premiership star Kevin Gallen netted a brace on his full debut for the Ducks.

Once the 65th minute second goal had gone in, things were pretty comfortable for United, but that wasn’t always the case and Hatfield had every right to feel aggrieved at trailing 1-0 at half-time having had the better of the first half chances.

As early as the fourth minute and Jack Sillitoe was called upon to make a save when Cletus Isiri was released by a ball over the defence and saw his low effort beaten behind by Sillitoe.

The corner kick was only half cleared and when a follow up shot landed at Warren Garcia’s feet he inexplicably chipped towards his own goal – only just clearing the crossbar.

United continued to be on the back foot as first Sam Ruff got ahead of his marker to meet Reade’s free-kick but could only head over, then the home side had a goal disallowed after Joe Brunt was adjudged to have handled the ball before firing home from close range.

The Ducks have never conceded a goal on this ground, and that record was threatened again after 17 minutes as Brunt cut in from his right sided position and struck a reverse shot which had Sillitoe wrong footed but fortunately trickled the wrong side of the goal from Hatfield’s point of view. Five minutes later Isiri, by far Town’s biggest threat, was picked out with another flighted pass but his shot deflected comfortably through to Sillitoe.

Ben Baines twice got the byeline in quick succession for Aylesbury and although his attempted balls across the six yard box came to nothing, there was at last some life in the green and white’s attack.

And, on 27 minutes, they finally had a first shot at goal as Paul Edgeworth hammered a volley just over the bar after the ball was half cleared to him.

It continued to be Hatfield who looked the more likely to score though, with Ruff going close again before Edgeworth came to the rescue by heading off the line after Isiri was presented a free shot having got ahead of Bircham to a ball in from wide.

United survived the scares and took the lead three minutes before the interval with a goal out of nothing. Stacey Field hassled the defence to win the ball back, before squaring for Gallen who got the faintest of touches to send the ball trickling over the goal-line. 1-0 Aylesbury

Not a classic – but they all count and United suddenly had a lead they scarcely deserved, and whilst Chris Webb went close with a shot all the way across goal, it was a lead they protected to the half way stage.

Half-time: Hatfield 0-1 Aylesbury

Hatfield offered far less in the second half as the late summer heat began to take its toll.

Gallen tried his luck at an empty goal after keeper Scott Montgomey and Field raced for the ball 30-yards out, the ball falling for Gallen who was unable to steer it into the vacant net.

Jack Wood should at least have hit the target ten minutes later when a lucky ricochet provided him a great shooting opportunity just outside the area, but he crashed the ball over the bar.

The second duly arrived as Gallen and Field linked up well again, the former heading the ball on for Field who drove to the byeline before picking out his strike colleague who had the simple task of firing home from close range. 2-0 Aylesbury

Two goals for Gallen; two assists for Field; and that was game over for Hatfield who had little attacking threat on display in the second period, and what they did was easily mopped up by the partnership of Hatch and Mulholland at the back.

Aylesbury had the chances to extend their lead, firstly when Field played in a searching cross which had to be hurriedly cleared by Saunders, before Wood headed just wide from Gallen’s left footed ball in.

Twice the woodwork was rattled in the closing stages as Field was played clean through and lobbed the stranded keeper only to see the ball cruelly bounce on top of the bar.

In stoppage time Baines was also unlucky when his shot came back off the upright after substitute Greg Williams had put him through, and there were also chances Mulholland and Williams, but United were content with their two-goals.

The victory lifts the Ducks up to third in the table and, despite the below par performance, that is the most important point after a testing afternoon.