Potters Bar Town have no excuses for surrendering a two-goal lead in a crazy 4-3 loss at home to Brentwood Town.
Reiss Webber and Brandon Adams had scored twice in the opening 10 minutes of the Isthmian League Premier Division game at the Lantern Stadium, but they were level by the break and behind two minutes into the second half.
Ryan Doherty equalised on 68 minutes but a penalty converted by Daniel Ogunleye handed Brentwood the victory.
Manager Max Mitchell says they have to look inward as to why they came out with nothing.
"It's frustrating to surrender a two-goal lead," said the boss.
"We were in complete control, it was a brilliant start, and we'd asked for that. We asked them to back up our performance from Tuesday and for 25 minutes, we did.
"And then we sunk and got deeper and deeper and it allowed them to take the initiative.
"It was disappointing to go into the break at 2-2 but we fought back in the second half.
"The winning goal though, it's never a penalty, I think that is quite clear. We can't control that but what we can control is managing the game better at 2-0 in the first half.
"A learning opportunity for the group and a learning opportunity for us as a management group. I'm not here to throw shade on the officials or anything like that, we have to take accountability for the things that are in our control and make sure we are better equipped in the future, when we go into 2-0 positions or even a goal up.
"We've addressed why as a group. We felt we had to run more when we were leading 2-0.
We sat back and allowed them to dictate. We have to do things better in those moments.
"It was an entertaining game but one we are disappointed with as we have come away with nothing."
The Scholars have just one point from their opening three games and sit 18th, two places above the bottom four in the early table.
But the boss believes they can get back on track quickly, starting with a trip to Lewes on Saturday and then a home game against rivals Wingate & Finchley on bank holiday Monday.
"The three games we've played could have gone either way in all of them," said Mitchell.
"We're disappointed to have lost this one but we have five days rest and we have to prepare for another tough game at this level.
"There are no easy games in this league. The teams coming into this league are really good sides, and credit to Brentwood and Burgess Hill Town, they have both had a really good start.
"But we have to look at ourselves first before anything or anyone else."
Potters Bar have also been drawn at home in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup where they will play either Hitchin Town or Grays Athletic.
The Canaries scored a 95th minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw on Saturday, earning a replay in Essex.
