A lacklustre performance from Sinclair United saw them go down 1-0 at home to Deddington Town Reserves in their opening division one fixture.
In a game that saw the home side dominate possession, it was in fact the visiting team who scored the only goal of the game thanks to a dubious refereeing decision.
United did have their own chances to get something from the game but captain Ben Riley's second half penalty miss summed up his team's fortunes as they failed to start the season off with a win.
In a new-look line up, new signings Luke Brain, Jamie Raitt and Jamie Grant were brought into the starting line up with Jack Kettle on the bench.
Deddington looked to absorb the home side's pressure early on and it seemed to be working as United were unable to carve an immediate opening and test the away side's keeper.
United's first chance of a goal came just over ten minutes into the first half when some good work on the right side saw Jason Pritchard's fierce cross drilled across goal but was unable to get a final touch from a United player.
The home side were struggling to impose themselves on the game and Luke Butterworth and Riley were trying their best to dictate play and feed Grant up top with support from Nathan Lee.
Grant did have United's best chance of the first half when a loose ball came to him inside the box but a last ditch tackle from a Deddington defender saw the ball cleared out for a corner.
But it was the away side who were to open the scoring in the 30th minute. After the ball was put into the box, as keeper Toby Jones came to collect it a challenge from a Deddington midfielder was deemed to be fair and the loose ball was bundled into the goal despite heated claims from United players.
The goal should have sparked the home side into life but they were still unable to test the away keeper and their frustrations started to show. Despite all the possession and territory being in Deddington's half United could not find a way through to get them back on level terms.
United boss Steve Nash rung the changes in the second half, replacing the ineffective Pritchard with Josh Nash to provide much needed force up front. The home side were still unable to use their passing game to good effect but the presence of Nash added some pace in the team.
And they very nearly drew level in the 65th minute when a long ball from the left by Luke Whitehead was met at the far post by Butterworth but his downward header agonizingly went the wrong side of the post.
The signs were there for United that they were to get something from the game, and they had the perfect opportunity from the penalty spot.
After a long ball over the top from the defence, Grant was able to burst into the box and advance towards the keeper but he was brought down and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
But as the opportunity presented itself, the usually reliable Riley was off cue with his effort and saw his effort fly over the bar.
As United were going for an equaliser they still needed to be efficient at the back. With Deddington looking to counter attack the home side needed to keep disciplined.
And it was the away side who had the last chance of the game when a free kick was dealt with at the second attempt by Jones.
The final whistle brought frustration to the home side, who will find that their performance was not like similar matches compared to last season.
Nash will look to pick his squad up for their next game when they travel to Bicester and meet FC Langford, who have also yet to pick up a win so far this season.
The Hanwell Arms Man of the Match: Nathan Lee
