Inconsistent Crawley Town suffered a 3-1 defeat at Moor Green in the premier division.
Reds have struggled to put a good run together this season, and were well beaten by a home side who boasted a classy finisher in Nathan Lamey.
Lamey and former Birmingham City striker John Gayle caused Crawley problems and the visitors had little response.
Reds manager Billy Smith said: "We were over-run in midfield, and Moor Green had a real match winner in Nathan Lamey.
"I can't take anything away from them but we missed Warren Bagnall greatly upfront, as well as Keith Sharman and Marc Pullan at the back."
Bagnall missed the game through suspension while Sharman and Pullen have been hit by illness and injury respectively, allowing Rob Collins to come in and partner Warren Waugh in attack.
For all the pair's effort, Crawley failed to make any impact in the first half after they conceded a second minute goal.
Reds keeper Andy Little will be disappointed that he allowed Lamey to finish from a tight angle.
Gayle went close several times before Jae Martin headed home Stewart Brighton's 62nd-minute corner to double the lead.
Jimmy Dack pulled a goal back for Crawley in the 78th minute when Nigel Brake nodded Collins' cross into his path and the midfielder blasted past Andy De Bont.
With two minutes left insult was added to injury by Moor Green as Richard Softley beat Lee Doherty to a loose ball and looped a shot past the helpless Little.
Defeat is a heavy blow for Reds championship ambitions, although they now have a break from league action as they travel to Crowborough Athletic in the Sussex Floodlight cup and then Fareham Town in the FA Cup.
Eastbourne Borough snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as they lost 3-2 to Rugby United at Priory Lane in the eastern division.
Garry Wilson's men led twice before Luke Vincent grabbed a last-minute goal to give the visitors an undeserved victory.
Borough got off to a dream start when they were awarded a penalty after just three minutes when Jamie Ball bundled over Keith Miles.
Skipper Daren Pearce slotted home from the spot.
Rugby equalised on 14 minutes through Robbie Beard. But Borough regained the lead two minutes after the interval when John Westcott and Matt Crabb created a goal for Matt Allen.
But two hopeful long balls forward and two finishes from Vincent after 67 and 90 minutes secured Rugby a smash-and-grab win.
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