Gainsborough Trinity were narrowly beaten 1-0 by play-off chasing side FC United of Manchester at the KAL Group Stadium despite a poor first half.
The game seemed to be won and lost in midfield as Trinity struggled to take the game away from the control of former Liverpool and Derby County full-back Andre Wisdom.
Russ Wilcox named an unchanged 11 from the side that beat National League side Hartlepool United during the week to progress to the first round of the FA Cup for the second year running.
The visitors started the day in fourth, just two places and a point above the Holy Blues.
A lacklustre First Half
It was a slow start for the hosts as Harrison Beedon got his header back to David Robson all wrong just seven minutes in and Adam Le Fondre nipped in ahead of the Trinity keeper to give the visitors the lead.
Trinity struggled to get a foothold of the game inside the first 20 minutes as Jay Fitzmartin drove through the midfield and cut inside from the left. His powerful right footed effort flashed narrowly over the crossbar.
Robson then did magnificently to keep the hosts in the game 19 minutes in as Matthew Grivosti worked well down the right and crossed towards the penalty spot.
Michael Donohue looked to have guided the ball into the top right corner, but Robson magnificently managed to claw the ball away from danger.
Le Fondre then looked destined to double the lead as Beedon misjudged the bounce of the ball and the 38-year-old striker broke through one-on-one.
He steadied himself and amazingly opted to play a square pass to Fitzmartin breaking in at the back post, but George Hornshaw managed to get in and clear the ball away from danger.
Trinity’s only real chance of the half came after a quick passage of play down the right allowed Javelle Clarke to pick up the ball just inside the right corner of the penalty area. He turned and shot towards the near post but it was easy for Daniel Atherton to gather.
That brought to an end what was a lacklustre first half for Trinity as manager Russ Wilcox changed both his full backs for the start of the second half.
An intense Second Half
It was a much improved second half for a energetic Gainsborough Trinity and they started the better side as Bobby Johnson rattled the crossbar inside the first five minutes.
Johnson did well to win a corner on the right-hand side and Preston crossed the ball in towards the near post where the midfielder met it with his head, only to see his effort bounce up off the crossbar and behind for a goal-kick.
It was then almost a near instant impact from substitute Ashley Jackson two minutes later as he crossed the ball in towards Sisa Tuntulwana who forced a magnificent save out of Atherton.
A quiet period then followed as Trinity looked comfortable in possession for the first time all game before Tuntulwana fired an effort wide of the right hand post.
The ball was then cleared off the line with just over ten minutes remaining as Ash Jackson’s cross caused some trouble for Atherton in goal.
He spilt the ball back towards his own goal line before the visitors were forced to clear the ball off the line.
That was the last big chance of a half dominated by Gainsborough Trinity, in which they failed to find that final finishing touch to force an equaliser.
The gap to the play-offs remains at one point for Russ Wilcox’s side however they have now dropped to eighth place before travelling to to 21st place Workington on Tuesday night.