Boston Town fell to an agonising 1-0 defeat at Ashby Ivanhoe in the United Counties League Premier North.
In a game of few chances, Jordan Tate was controversially sin-binned in the second half, with the hosts scoring an 80th-minute winner soon afterwards.
Martyn Bunce’s side felt aggrieved by a number of refereeing decisions that went against them, including strong claims for a first-half penalty that were waved away.
The Poachers entertain Hucknall Town in the FA Vase on Saturday – the first of three home games in a row.
Town are hoping for a good run in the FA Vase, which offers decent prize money and the realistic prospect of reaching a Wembley final.
Fellow United Counties League side Newport Pagnell have been to Wembley for the past two finals.
On 30 September, the Poachers are back at the Mortgages For You Stadium for a league game agaisnt Belper United, with another home league fixture against AFC Mansfield scheduled for 7 October.
Town: Portas, Worthington, Tate, Hobbins, Ford, Wilson, Beeson (Young), Maddison, Nuttell, Limb, Bayliss; unused subs: Balint, Field, Borbely
Boston Town FC 