A three-week absence from Thurlow Nunn League action cost Holbeach United their unbeaten home record on Saturday.
Gaps in the Division One North fixture list meant the Tigers had not played competitively since September 30 and their rustiness showed as they failed to make their chances count in a 2-1 defeat against Wivenhoe Town.
George Frost swept the hosts into an early lead, rounding off a well-worked team move.
The equaliser came in controversial circumstances with the home players appealing in vain for a free-kick, just as the referee awarded one to Wivenhoe after unsuccessfully allowing an advantage.
The Essex side levelled from that and added another against the run of play to take the points.
Holbeach failed to make the most of three one-on-ones and also had a strike ruled out for offside when Frost found the net again.
Jordan Oldham was the home man of the match with Wivenhoe giving theirs to goalkeeper Ben Gallifant.
Wednesday saw the Tigers make the short trip to Parson Drove, after The Voice went to print.
On Saturday. Danny Clifton’s side have the chance to narrow the gap on the early-season front-runners when they welcome leaders Holland to Carters Park, 3pm.
The Essex team are 13 points ahead of 10th-placed Holbeach but from five games more.
After so long without a game, the Tigers continue to make up for lost time on Tuesday when they travel to Fakenham Town in the League Cup.
Tulips: Rigby, Greenacre, Robertson, Oldham, Ling, Carter, Thorne, Barnes, Prentice, Frost, Cook. Subs: Nicholson, Johnson, Pilbeam.
