Swaffham Town suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat at Godmanchester in a game where a very young team performed well but luck and opportunity avoided them.
There was an early chance for new signing Alan Woodcock, but Alex Vincent's cross was just beyond his reach.
Godmanchester took the lead in the 24th minute – but the Pedlars equalised six minutes later, Jake Slender striking from 16 yards across the box to net in the bottom right-hand corner.
The hosts regained the lead in the 37th minute, but the real blow came on the stroke of half-time, when the home-side scored their third – with Luke Reed retiring from the game after colliding with a post, suffering a nasty impact injury to the knee.
Godmanchester added four more in the second half. There was a dubious penalty award where Danny Tindall played the ball although Swaffham insisted the incident was not even in the box – which just emphasises the way the club's season has been going.
It is now time to build and repair the cracks before this weekend's home fixture against Haverhill Rovers where there is a massive three points at stake to salvage any chance of beating relegation.
Swaffham are rock bottom of the Premier Division table, with 15 points – seven behind FC Clacton who, at one stage, looked like being cut adrift. They are at home to Kirkley & Pakefield this weekend.
Swaffham's opponents Haverhill are 15th in the table and well clear of the danger zone.
Meanwhile, back at Shoemakers Lane, the Reserves continued their winning ways with a 3-1 victory against Redgate Rangers.
Unfortunately the visitors appeared not to have football on their minds, with two players being shown red cards and others booked.
There was a welcome return to playing for Luis Duarte – his first game since surgery after fracturing his wrist in the first team's opening game of the season against Saffron Walden Town, way back on July 30.
Luis marked his return with a goal, Korben Willis further adding to his season's tally, the third a Redgate own goal.
This weekend the Reserves have an away derby at Fakenham Town Reserves.
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