ROYSTON Town dropped their first points in five games after losing to Aylesbury at Garden Walk on Tuesday night. Striker Russell Bull was sent off just after the half-hour mark with the Crows already trailing in the game and, despite an excellent second h

ROYSTON Town dropped their first points in five games after losing to Aylesbury at Garden Walk on Tuesday night.

Striker Russell Bull was sent off just after the half-hour mark with the Crows already trailing in the game and, despite an excellent second half performance, Paul Attfield's team were left empty handed.

The Crows went into the match brimming with confidence after four wins on the spin in the previous 10 days, but were instantly put under pressure by third placed Aylesbury.

The Crows weren't allowed any time or space to manoeuvre as the visitors were in their faces throughout the opening exchanges.

And before the Crows had a chance to get to grips with the game they found themselves 1-0 down after 10 minutes when Nick Mulvaney conceded a penalty after inexplicably bringing down the Aylesbury striker.

The home side were still finding it difficult to impose themselves on the match and Aylesbury had further chances to double the lead throughout the first half.

Disaster struck just before half time when Bull was given his marching orders for a lunge on the Aylesbury full-back.

The striker pleaded his innocence that he hadn't made contact with the player despite the full-back's best attempt at rolling around on the floor.

Although Bull went into the challenge marginally high, there's no doubt the full-back knew what he was doing as he looked as fit as a fiddle only seconds later.

And things got worse moments later when the Crows found themselves 2-0 down after bad defending allowed the Aylesbury striker to lift the ball over the advancing Jorden Gibson.

However, they were given a life-line in stoppage time when Tom Malins headed home Ricky Young's perfect cross.

The second half belonged to Royston as they had started to play to their potential.

Mulvaney nearly made up for his earlier mistake when he headed just wide following a Ryan Lockett corner.

The Crows were throwing everything except the kitchen sink at Aylesbury as they desperately searched for the equaliser their efforts deserved.

And they were given the perfect opportunity to do so with 10 minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty after Ross Collins was hauled down and left the referee no option but to bring his red card out again.

Arin Fehmi, who had only been on the field for two minutes, missed the spot-kick owing to a fantastic save from the Aylesbury 'keeper.

Despite this, Royston continued to press and were unlucky again when Fehmi saw his shot clip the crossbar.

In the end it wasn't to be, but the players will look to bounce back straight away on Thursday when they visit Haringey.