A loss of control by keeper Mike Searle gifted the Buckinghamshire visitors a 1-0 half time lead from the penalty spot and as City pushed for an equaliser after the interval, they were twice caught out on the break to give Chesham a rather flattering victory margin,

And City boss Steve Tully, while happy with some aspects of his side’s display, admitted there was still a lot of work to do.

He said: “We said at the end of pre-season that this game was a barometer of where we are at and we have got to improve a lot.

“We gave them three goals and made silly mistakes.

“For the majority of the game we matched their physicality, but did not play enough balls into the feet of the front three.

“It is one game and I have told the players get your heads up and we go again (City are at Paulton on Tuesday).

“But I am disappointed for the fans, the crowd and the club.”

City began with the side that started last week’s friendly against Yeovil with debuts for Searle, Chris Long and Rob Farkins.

There was little to choose between the teams in the opening stages, with Jamie Lowry coming closest to a City goal with his free-kick being tipped onto the bar by Shane Gore in the Chesham goal.

But then a crazy kick out by Searle on Chesham striker Ryan Blake, midway through the half, turned the match in the visitors’ favour.

The former Tiverton keeper had safely collected the ball when he flicked out at Blake, conceding a needless penalty and earning himself a yellow card.

Simon Thomas made no mistake from the spot kick and City were left to chase the game.

Tully said: “It was stupid and he was lucky to stay on the pitch. At 0-0 we had the better chances, but as soon as it was 1-0 they sat in and tried to play us on the break .

“I don’t know what he was thinking and it gives me a decision whether he will play on Tuesday. You can’t give teams a 1-0 lead in this league.”

City did finish the half strongly. with Gore denying Hayles and Cody Cooke, but after the break they struggled to create openings against the street wise visitors, who were content to sit back and play on the break.

And their tactics paid off when with 12 minutes left a quick counter-attack saw Blake run clear to make it 2-0.

The visitors completed City’s misery in stoppage time when some more poor defending allowed substitute Mark Nwokeji to score their third with a low drive.

CITY.: Searle; White, Pugh, Farkins, Pugh, Long; Ash; Green (Duff 62), Lowry, Vassell, Hayles (Watson 62), Cooke (Afful 69).

Subs (not used): James, Moore (GK).

Yellow cards: Searle.

CHESHAM UNITED: Gore; Fletcher, Purse, Brown, Prosper; Graham (Hamilton-Forbes (60), Smith, Fotheringham (capt), Bell (Towner 73); Blake (Nwokeji 80), Thomas.

Subs (Not used): Lynn, Cooper.

Yellow cards: Blake (24), Fotheringham (34), Smith

Goals: Thomas pen (24) 0-1, Blake (78) 0-2; Nwokeji (90 + 3) 0-3.

Referee: Andrew Bennett.

Crowd 435.