It was another frustrating night on the road for Valley, as they failed to see off lowly opposition this time in the shape of Aylesbury.

This draw at 18th placed Aylesbury followed further dropped points at Ashford and Uxbridge, and once more Town performed beneath the high standards they have set themselves over the past couple of seasons.

To be fair to them, the sub-standard Haywood Way pitch did not help their cause – with both sides forced to resort to the aerial route all too often to avoid the slippery, bobbly surface.

With Richard Blythe, Jamie Towers and Seb Lake-Gaskin all unavailable, and Nathan Haines injured, Dave Stringer made four changes to his starting line-up – including a first appearance in a Rugby shirt for the experienced non-league defender Guy Hadland, who had signed on a dual-registration form Barwell.

It was a fairly uneventful first half, with David Kolodynski going closest for the visitors with a well-struck effort which fizzed just wide of the post.

Greg Kaziboni also dragged a shot the wrong side of the target, after Luke Bottomer had crossed from the right.

Sam Bateman blasted one over the bar, and Bradley Wadkins sent a free-kick over too for Aylesbury.

The second period saw an increase in the attacking action though, and soon Bottomer had a shot blocked by keeper James Weatherill, with Brian Haule then heading into the side netting at the other end.

Town’s best spell of the game followed, but they were unable to take advantage of the string of great opportunities it generated.

Justin Marsden should have done better with a free header from eight yards from another Bottomer cross, and Kaziboni curled his effort wide after a good one-two with Marsden.

Marsden again wasted a great chance after he had got in behind the hosts’ defence – but then messed up his final ball, and Aaron King also sidefooted straight at Weatherill.

It was the home side that ended the game the strongest though, and Danny Burnell almost snatched them a late victory when his effort was cleared off the line by Nathan Fox.

Valley Line-up: Cooper; Myles, Fox, Hadland, Gudger; Kaziboni, Marsden, King (Palmer), Cunniff; Bottomer; Kolodynski. Subs not used: None. Booked: TBC.

Aylesbury line-up: Weatherill, Hogg, Baker, Bateman, Logie, Stevens, Rudd, Wadkins, Burnell, Haule, Simpson. Subs: McLachlan, Mealor, Perkins, Warrington.