Hastings United manager George Wakeling blamed individual errors for his side's 4-1 defeat against new Premier Division leaders Worcester City at the Pilot Field.
Two goals in the first 11 minutes set the tone for a game dominated by the visitors.
Adam Wilde and David Holmes netted for City before Adam Webster made it three on the half hour mark.
United were given a lifeline when Landry Zahana-Oni scored six minutes after the break and City midfielder Dan Middleton was sent off for his second bookable offence on 55 minutes.
But the United comeback never materialised and City substitute Mark Owen wrapped it up two minutes from time.
Wakeling said: "I am very disappointed with the result and the way we played. We made some individual errors which cost us the game.
"You can't afford to be sloppy against a team who are one of the favourites to go up and they made us pay for it."
City took the lead after seven minutes when Wilde finished a good passing move with a well placed shot from a tight angle.
Four minutes later Holmes doubled the visitors' advantage with a calm finish from 12 yards after Webster had dispossessed United defender Tommy Osborne.
Webster then made it three before half-time when he beat the home offside trap and scored at the second attempt after Hastings keeper Dave King parried his first effort.
United improved in the second half and got back into the game when Zahana-Oni scored his eighth goal of the season with a brilliant header from Nick Hegley's cross.
A comeback looked possible when Middleton, who had been booked in the first half for diving, was dismissed for a lunge on Duncan McArthur.
But Owen sealed the win for the visitors with a curling shot which gave King no chance.
Crawley's home match with Halesowen was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
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