A 35th-minute goal sent Pinchbeck United to a home defeat to Sandiacre Town in Division One of the United Counties League.
Josh Panton, JJ Ward and Jordan Haywood all went close for the Knights but were unable to find the net in a hard-fought second half.
Pinchbeck boosted their squad with the arrival of full back Haywood from Harrowby United and goalkeeper Jaden Taylor, on a work experience loan from Lincoln City.
Knights coach Chris Wheaton said: “In a slow and underwhelming first-half performance, when new signing Jaden was a stand-out performer, we didn’t have the same energy and desire about us as we had in our previous games.
“We knew we needed to come out showing fight, hunger and get back to playing how we play in the second half and we did just that but were unable to find the goal our work rate and desire deserved.
“We need to start picking up points quickly as we head into the business end of the season.
“Players are starting to come back from injury, which gives everyone a boost, and we’ve brought in a couple of new signings, who have had a positive impact.”
Knights: Taylor, Hayward, Balding, Melson (Drought), Simpson, Eyes, Stevens (Gadzia), Panton (Callaby), Slater, Cullen, Ward.
Sub: Douce.
Attendance: 46
