Despite putting in one of their best performances of the season, Sinclair United went down 2-1 at Ashton Villa in a tight encounter.
It was always going to be a tough encounter against their free-scoring opponents. But an organised defensive display by United frustrated the home side, with keeper and man-of-the-match Toby Jones in inspired form, putting in a commanding display between the posts.
But United were to be undone by a controversial penalty, with the referee deeming Luke Jarvis to have fouled the Ashton striker despite the defender knocking the player off the ball legally.
United started the game deep in their own half and had to be patient dealing with Ashton's lions share of possession. But despite the neat passing football the home side were unable to make a breakthrough straight away.
But they were to go in front in the 10th minute when a long ball into the ball was met by the midfielder who nicked in before Jones and headed the ball home to put Ashton 1-0 up.
The goal put Ashton in the mood to go for more goals, but despite going behind United kept focused and organised at the back, with Jones looking to set Josh Nash up front past the last defender.
And it nearly worked on the left hand side when a long goal kick found Nash who knocked the ball onto Stuart Ciballi but his shot was unable to hit the target. It was positive stuff for United, who despite not being allowed time on the ball, were always going to be in the game.
Nash also found his way into the box following a long ball but as he drove towards goal he went to ground, with the referee failing to see a tug on his shirt as he was about to shoot.
Jones had to be at his best at the other end to keep out Ashton's strikers and despite their dominance, the United keeper was rarely troubled until midway through the first half when a fierce drive from one of Ashton's midfielder was acrobatically tipped over the bar.
But United began to get into the game and they duly equalised with a great set piece. With United probing around the box, Karl Woodcock was upended at the edge of the box and Paul Rogers stepped to curl a delightful shot which left the keeper stranded and went in off the post.
It gave United the belief in the match and as the first half ended they certainly felt they were still in this game.
The second half started much in the same way with Ashton dictating play, and with everything going United's way the referee turned the game on its head with the penalty decision.
As Ashton were on the edge of the box with the ball, a knocked ball into the area was dealt with by Jarvis but the referee thought otherwise and pointed to the spot. Jones did his best to stop the resulting kick and nearly did, but could only get a hand on the ball before it went into the net.
United just kept working hard as a unit and looked to exploit Ashton's reluctance on defence. And they had more than one opportunity to draw level.
Ben Riley in the middle knocked the ball out to Jason Pritchard on the right and after beating the first defender his shot managed to go through the legs of the onrushing keeper but the ball was caught behind before it could trickle towards goal.
Their best chance though fell to Woodcock, when after good work in the middle and on the right, Pritchard fed the box back onto the edge of the box and Woodcock rifled a sweet drive that whistled just over the bar.
There was still time at the end for Ashton to have a chance of their own, with Jones again coming to the rescue saving with his legs to deny Ashton getting a third goal.
Although the final whistle condemned United to their second successive defeat, they was certainly no shame in the loss. Steve Nash's side deserved plenty of plaudits for their organisation and determination in dealing with their opponents.
Had one refereeing decision gone their way, along with a bit of luck, United might well have got a result to take back to Hanwell Fields.
United are back in league action next Saturday away to Croughton, hoping to avenge an agonizing defeat earlier in the season.
