Banbury United conceded a goal three minutes from time to lose 2-1 at Hemel Hempstead on Saturday.
Playing up the slope and into a strong wind in the first half, Banbury soon found themselves under pressure from the home side. United defended well until the 16th minute when a corner from the right wasn't cleared and Marquin Smith knocked the ball past Andy Kemp to make it 1-0.
The pattern continued until the break, after which the game became more even. On 64 minutes Ricky Johnson sent a shot inches wide of the post for the Puritans.
Two minutes later Johnson had a powerful effort blocked by a defender, but the Banbury striker got his reward when Ross Kitteridge's attempted clearance went straight to him and Johnson took it forward before stroking the ball past the embarrassed 'keeper.
Banbury looked the likelier to go and win in the final 15 minutes but Hemel grabbed a winner late on when a corner from the left was played back into the centre where Bill Morgan slotted home.
