Sinclair United started the new year in disappointing fashion as they went down 5-3 at home to Bloxham.
It had been at least four week since Steve Nash's side were in action and it clearly showed on Saturday as United struggled to put in a performance of quality.
Despite Luke Butterworth giving United the lead in the first half, Bloxham scored a controversial equaliser before United regained the lead with a penalty at the end of the first half.
But referee Rod Haddrell, who didn't have the best game, gave Bloxham a soft penalty of their own in the second half and as Sinclair went in search of another goal they were hit on the break to go behind for the first time.
A well taken goal from the edge of the area followed by an unfortunate own goal from Luke Jarvis compelled Sinclair's misery on a disappointing day for Nash and his side.
Following United's last victory over Bodicote Sports coming so long ago, Nash was keen for his side to repeat the performance he had seen last month. The only changes to the side saw Stuart Ciballi replace Toby Jones in goal, with Jones coming into midfield due to an injury to Ben Washington.
The last time United played Bloxham they had put in a Jekyll and Hyde performance before eventually labouring to a 3-2 win, and it was to prove a more tighter affair at Easington Park as chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges.
The first chance though was to fall to United. Good work on the left saw Jason Pritchard feed Paul Rogers but his shot was fired wide. It was going to be a midfield battle on a blustery day, and the pair of Karl Woodcock and Ian Timms had to be at their best to stop any Bloxham attacks.
Despite United failing to really test the Bloxham keeper, they were keeping organised at the back to prevent any attacks. The story of the half saw the away side fail to really test Ciballi in goal, with United looking the more likely to make something happen.
And after an increased amount of pressure, United took the lead in the eighth minute. After good work on the right hand side, Rogers fed Butterworth and he beat his man to fire a low shot that went under the keeper and into the back of the net.
Following the goal you would be right to believe it could and should have been more for United, but despite taking the lead they were unable to add to their tally. Instead it was Bloxham who were to equalise against the run of play in controversial style.
Following a move down the left hand side, after the scramble in the box the ball was handled twice by the Bloxham forward and despite the referee somehow failing to spot it, the player was able to convert.
The decision clearly had an effect on United, who were angered the official hadn't spotted such a clear foul. But despite a period of pressure from Bloxham, United had the opportunity to regain the lead when Butterworth was fouled inside the box. That left captain Ben Riley to convert the ensuing penalty emphatically to put the home side 2-1 up at halftime.
It had certainly not been the best of halfs for United and their boss was keen to make sure their performance was better in the second half. But the plan was to be thrown away when Ian Timms was adjudged to have fouled the Bloxham midfielder in the box for a penalty of their own.
It was a frustrating decision to take, with the referee yet again not interested in listening to United protests, and Bloxham converted the penalty to make the game all square.
United were failing to assert themselves onto the game in their normal fashion, and they were to fall behind for the first time following a quick counter attacking move. As United went forward in search of an equaliser, they were still unable to test the keeper despite the blustery conditions.
It was to get worse for the home side though when they went 4-2 down when the Bloxham captain picked the ball up from the edge of the area following a clearance and hit the ball back which beat Ciballi in goal.
The goal seemed to take the wind of out United sails but they were still able to bring it back to 4-3 when Butterworth put Riley through and his shot beat the keeper towards the 90th minute.
But with the game nearing to an end, there was still time for a freak goal when following a long clearance up field, Jarvis passed the ball back to Ciballi and as the keeper couldn't control the high ball, it agonizingly went into the back of the net.
It was a desperately disappointing result for United, who had hoped of keeping the pressure of the top sides in division one. It was a result that Bloxham deserved given the state of play, and United will look to put a better display against basement side King's Sutton.
