After the postponement of the planned fixture against Stotfold on Wednesday, the Ducks travelled to in-form Barton Rovers looking to stop a run of 3 defeats, after their latest defeat at home to AFC Dunstable the week before.

Jake Bewley returned at left back, with Tom Cove moving further forward to replace Kajetan Halatyn and Ben Peters returning to the starting line up in place of Louis Robert-Keane. One other change saw the appearance of James Keller on the coaching team for the first time, after moving across to support Dave Tuttle from North Leigh.

The first chance fell to the hosts as Cameron Hyde made good ground down the left flank before crossing to Tyler Rhiney, but his header from 10 yards was comfortably saved by Jack Hopwood. Ten minutes later, a free kick by Hyde on the halfway line was helped on by Alfie Warman to Rhiney, this time his goal bound effort from 8 yards was deflected wide.

The pressure imposed on the Ducks goal bore fruit shortly afterwards, when a deep cross from the left by Warman went through the defence to be met by debutant Nathan Frater who headed home at the far post from 4 yards. 1-0 Barton

The first effort on goal for the Ducks came 5 minutes later; Cove found Will St Clair-Burton wide on the right; he crossed to Sonny French 15 yards from goal, but his effort lacked power and direction and was easily saved.

Rovers came close to doubling their lead from the next attack; Liam Batchelor-Morgan misjudged the bounce of the ball on half way, which allowed Rhiney to make ground towards the penalty area. He passed to Frater 10 yards from goal, but his shot crashed off the crossbar and away to safety.

With 7 minutes left before half time the Ducks equalised; Bewley chipped the ball forward to Luqman Kassim on the edge of the penalty area, where he was challenged by Robert Goodman, the ball falling to French 20 yards out He took a touch before firing in a left foot shot into the keeper’s left hand corner. 1-1

Half-time: Barton 1-1 Aylesbury

Just past the hour mark and the Ducks took the lead; Cove did well on the left and broke into the penalty area, where he appeared to be fouled from behind by Hyde. After initially giving a goal kick, the referee consulted with his assistant on that side before awarding a penalty. After a long delay to allow a Barton substitute and some gamesmanship to attempt to put him off, Kassim maintained his composure to successfully convert the penalty. 2-1 Aylesbury

Barton came close to an equaliser in the 72nd minute, when a shot from 25 yards by Warman was really well saved by Hopwood. The home side's hopes of getting back into the game were dashed in the 77th minute, when Frater capped his goal scoring debut with a red card for cynically scything Cove down from behind as he broke free in the centre circle.

The Ducks had a great chance to capitalise and put the game beyond doubt with 8 minutes remaining; a ball through the centre of the pitch was missed by Alfie Powell, giving French a clear run in on goal, however Charlie Warren was off his line well to save with his legs, the ball rebounding to Cove who could only sky his effort over the crossbar.

The Ducks were indebted to Hopwood for preserving the lead shortly afterwards, Rhiney cut in from the left and passed to Ashton Grant who saw his shot well saved at the expense of a corner.

The final chance game with 2 minutes remaining of normal time; Goodman won the ball in midfield and passed to Rhiney wide on the left. He returned the ball back to Goodman, who saw his shot saved by Hopwood. The Ducks saw out the final minutes to record a first win since beating Leverstock Green on 28th December.

Sadly, no game next Saturday for the Ducks, but we return to action on Wed 12th Feb at Kidlington, before making the short trip to Kings Langley on Sat 15th Feb, hoping to continue the winning form.