A run of 11 games without a win has seen Pinchbeck United dragged into a relegation fight in Division One of the United Counties League.
A 2-0 defeat at fellow battlers West Bridgford on Saturday left the Knights just a point outside the drop zone.
After a goalless first half, Flynn Slater saw his 57th-minute penalty saved and that proved costly with the hosts scoring twice in two minutes 15 minutes later.
JJ Ward came close to finding a way back with five minutes to go but his 30-yard effort slammed against the bar,
Hard-working captain Joe Melson earned the man of the match award.
Manager Lewis Thorogood said: “The result was very disappointing, a tough one to take. Now more than ever we must stick together, work harder, leave no stone unturned and focus on getting results from the last seven games.”
Knights: Martin, Drought (Simpson), Balding, Bennett, Brooks, Haywood (Keating), Henderson (Panton), Melson, Slater, Cullen (Callaby), Ward.
Attendance: 44.