TWO red cards and five goals conceded saw Lichfield City suffer another miserable day at the office.
Manager Matty Lovatt's search for the first points of his tenure go on after another heavy defeat in the Northern Premier League West Division.
The City boss had hoped a home clash with Stalybridge Celtic would kickstart his side's season after promising signs last time out at Chasetown.
But they were behind inside ten minutes when Obua Mugalula cut inside and finished into the bottom corner.
Five minutes later and Lichfield saw their numbers reduced after a free kick had initially been awarded to them after a challenge between Tom Carter and a Stalybridge man – but after a consultation between the referee and his assistant, the decision was given the other way and the goalkeeper was handed his marching orders.
Salt was rubbed into the wounds from the resulting free kick when Jack Irlam found the net.
It was 3-0 after 22 minutes when Kyle Brownhill capitalised on a mistake in the City backline.
The first half misery wasn't done for Lovatt's men though as a lunging challenge by John Mills saw him handed a red card to leave his side with nine men.
Stalybridge extended their lead further ten minutes into the second half when Brownhill bagged his second of the afternoon.
Irlam also completed his brace 20 minutes from time to make it 5-0 and pile more pressure on Lovatt as his side remain pointless at the foot of the table.
