Three goals in the opening 30 minutes of the game paved the way for a 3-1 home defeat for Tring Athletic against Biggleswade United.
Tring had been on a good run of form going into the game, but they were stunned in the eighth minute when United took the lead from their first attack as Sam Nair volleyed in off the far post.
Athletic pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but they soon found themselves 2-0 behind when a mis-hit cross from Adam Randall flew over Tring keeper Liam Watson and into the net.
Tempers flared when United’s Tom Cookman caught Sam Joliffe in one of a number of poor tackles, and Tring had even more to be angry about as the visitors extended their lead in the 30th minute.
Stuart Stedman passed the ball across his area to Jack Seaton, who was robbed by Nair before the Biggleswade hit-man calmly slotted home.
Stunned by the scoreline, Tring were stung into life and gave themselves hope of a comeback four minutes later when youngster Taylor Collins pulled a goal back with his first strike for the club.
The final word of the half nearly went to Nair who was denied a hat-trick when Watson produced a good save to push his shot wide.
There were half-chances for both teams at the start of the second half, but Tring were clearly missing livewire forward Chris Vardy.
Nair would have added to his tally but for Watson who denied him on three occasions as the game ended 3-1.