Injury-hit Eastbourne Borough crashed 4-1 at Stafford for their fourth premier division defeat in five games.
Boss Garry Wilson said: "Even a fit side would have struggled to get a point here."
Sloppy defending did not help Eastbourne. Wilson added: "We helped them to their goals and you cannot do that at this level. For the second goal we stopped for an offside whistle and that you should never do."
Danny Davidson put Stafford ahead from the penalty spot after Robin Gibson had been fouled by Stuart Tuck in the 20th minute. Gibson ran through to make it 2-0 just before half-time.
A superb Matt Crabb strike raised Borough hopes four minutes into the second half, but Craig Wilding goals in the 66th and 77th minutes settled the game.
Hastings drew 2-2 at Fisher Athletic in the eastern division despite being awarded three penalties.
Steve Hafner and Stuart Myall each scored from the spot but Hafner also missed against a Fisher side which played most of the second half with only ten men.
Gary Abbott put Fisher ahead on 16 minutes but Hastings equalised six minutes later from the spot when Hafner made no mistake after Danny Steele had fouled Carl Rook. The hosts went 2-1 up just before half time through Abbott again.
Hastings were awarded their second spot-kick seven minutes after half time and Steele was again the culprit, this time for punching Rook which saw him sent off.
Hafner was denied by Robert O'Hara but from the rebound he was brought down by a defender for a third penalty which was converted by Myall.
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