St Albans City fell to a first defeat in five National League South outings - but it was how they did it against Eastbourne Borough that frustrated manager David Noble.
They had gone in front inside 60 seconds when Mitchell Weiss got his fifth of the season and held that lead to half-time at Clarence Park.
Dylan Fage restored their advantage after Zac Emmerson had levelled in the first minute of the second half but the visitors' frontman would go on to complete his hat-trick and a 3-2 away win.
And the Saints manager didn't see enough to make him happy.
He said: "The first half wasn't great but it wasn't too bad and we should have gone in two or three up.
"How that is not a penalty on Mitch I have no idea.
"The game is never done, even at 2-0, but you'd rather be 2-0 up than 1-0.
"I don't understand what the ref has seen but it is a definite pen.
"It was a great start after 30 or 40 seconds and then we had two or three other opportunities, not clear-cut ones but good breaks and good positions.
"But to let the lead slip in what was almost a mirror image, 30 seconds or so, but to concede a goal like that while in good possession was frustrating.
"We didn't defend well, we conceded three goals that were avoidable and to do that in 30 minutes after not conceding in the last four league games is worrying.
"Today was difficult but we seem to be leaving people out to dry.
"We're not wanting to get on the ball, we're leaving [team-mates] to get on with it.
"That's more worrying than anything else."
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