Nantwich Town fell to a 2-0 defeat away at title favourites Blyth Spartans.
The Dabbers held the hosts at bay in the first half with keeper Dan Gyollai (pictured) making a number of top saves.
They could have even pinched a goal as Josh Hancock, Joe Mwasile and Curtis Jones had chances.
But they fell behind early in the second half through a deflected free kick by Robbie Dale.
And just before the hour mark Stephen Turnbull curled home a second free kick to seal the host’s victory.
Phil Parkinson brought in Dan Gyollai, Josh Hancock, Ryan Brooke and Matt Bell.
Andy White also recovered from an ankle knock to replace Joel Stair.
Hancock forced an excellent save from Spartans keeper Paul Woolston 30 seconds in.
From the resulting corner, Mwasile flicked the ball narrowly wide.
Moments later, Sean Reid found some space and ran at the Dabbers back line but dragged his effort well wide.
The home side had the ball in the net on five minutes when a cross flew straight in.
However the linesman ruled a number of Spartans players offside by impeding Gyollai’s view.
Nathan Buddle then headed over from another Spartans corner as the home side controlled the territory, but couldn’t convert chances.
Dale blazed another effort over the bar and Danny Maguire forced Gyollai into a smart save.
David Atkinson also test the Dabbers keeper as he rose at the far post and sent a header on goal.
The Dabbers then had a good chance, as Curtis Jones headed wide from a corner right at the end of injury time.
But the Dabbers went behind early after the break.
Bell clipped Reid on the edge of the box and Dale stepped up to take.
His effort hit the wall and deflected past a helpless Gyollai.
Blyth continued to press and doubled their lead with another free kick.
Riley was the guilty party this time after clipping his man on the edge of the box.
This time, Turnbull stepped up and curled an excellent effort into the top corner.
The Dabbers couldn’t match their opponents as Blyth looked for more goals.
Reid shot wide and Maguire forced Gyollai into another save.
Parkinson made his first change, bringing on Khaellem Bailey-Nicholls for Wayne Riley.
On 68 minutes, the Dabbers gave away a penalty as Jones felled his man.
But Turnbull could only put his penalty high and wide.
The Dabbers second change came with 20 minutes ago as Abadaki came on for Mwasile.
Brooke had an effort from distance saved as Blyth closed down the game.
The home fans wanted another penalty when sub Adam Wrightson was eased off the ball by Harrison in the box.
The Spartans finished the final 10 minutes with 10 men when Liddle was caught by Bailey-Nicholls and had to withdraw.
The Dabbers were unable to mount a response and fell to just their fourth away league defeat of the season.
They will look to dust themselves down on Tuesday at home to Sutton Coldfield Town.
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