A bruising encounter saw Lichfield City narrowly beaten by league leaders Littleton.
The hosts made the worst possible start when they went behind with just three minutes on the clock. A long goal kick sailed over the top of a static defence for the division’s top scorer Joe Lolley to slot home.
Things got even worse for Lichfield five minutes later as another route one tactic caught the home side;s fragile defence out again, Jonathon Huckfield failing to deal with the danger as the impressive Lolley robbed possession before turning Todd Perry inside out and calmly firing past Craig Johnson to double the advantage.
It took the hosts almost half-an-hour before they had their first shot on goal, Liam Holt firing over from distance.
City gradually got to grips with the physical nature of the game and started to put pressure on the visitors, a Holt free kick was headed over after he was crudely brought down during a surging run, and Ryan Baker stabbing the ball wide from six yards out.
The hosts regrouped at half-time and the second period was one way traffic as the home side dominated possession in a bid to get back into the game, but the central defensive duo of Simon Fitter and Tim Beattie were outstanding as they repelled wave after wave of attacks.
Lewis Bourne gave City a lifeline on 85 minutes as he headed home a Jordan Hunt corner, but try as they might the equaliser was not forthcoming after a courageous second half effort from Lichfield.
City now have a 12 day break before they are back in action at Southam utd on April 25.
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