Lichfield City FC lost ground on the sides at the top of the table after a shock loss to basement boys Chelmsley Town.
Jay Hawkins’ men had high hopes going into the game, with the two sides at opposite ends of the Midland Football League, but their clinical edge from recent fixtures had deserted them for once.
An early Danny Brain goal gave the early season strugglers the lead and put City on the back foot.
Dan Griffiths fired wide from distance as Lichfield looked to rally from going behind before Tom Brown sent a volley over the top.
Kyle Patterson should have found the leveller when he went through one-on-one with the keeper but couldn’t get the better of the Chelmsley stopper.
City’s run of pressure eventually told and they levelled when Brown’s strike came back of the bar, but he reacted quickly to head home the loose ball.
But Chelmsley repeated their first half trick in the second period with Brain again finding the net.
Lichfield keeper Adam Jenkins made a smart save to prevent the hosts extending their lead before Max Black saw his effort kept out at the other end.
James Taylor headed over for a corner as Lichfield continued to try and carve out a chance, but it wasn’t enough as City slipped to fourth while their hosts climbed off the foot of the table.
