Battling Braintree Town lost away at the Kingfield Stadium to Woking thanks to a goal from winger John Goddard.
The single goal proved enough though Braintree can be proud of their effort against a side 11 league places above them in the Conference Premier.
In terms of performance you could pretty much choose your phrase to separate the two sides – a cigarette paper, a lick of paint or an outstretched hand on the last Black Friday television.
Both of the sides had to deal with midweek losses and stand-in Braintree captain Kenny Davis showed his side's intent early a rasping shot turned wide by Woking keeper Ross Worner - signed on emergency loan from AFC Wimbledon this week.
Jack Marriott shot wide as Woking broke for their first real chance of the half. He then crossed for Kevin Betsy to head over when no one was around him.
The home side continued to mount pressure on Alan Devonshire's side and the boss was "gutted" for his side after the game. "I think the boys deserved something," he said.
A bright spot for the away side was right-back Mitch Brundle who marshaled Woking's main outlet Dean Morgan, whose style of play was as flashy as his haircut.
Worner was proving his worth. Woking's new signing used an outstretched left hand to keep the scoreline goalless from a Davis curler.
It was a long-range shot from Woking winger Goddard that did manage to break the deadlock after 38 minutes though.
His left-footed volley from 20 yards stumbled inside the far post through a crowded penalty area when the away side failed to clear a free-kick.
Just before half-time Simeon Akinola shot wide from the edge of the box for Braintree. He had looked the Irons' best outlet for most of the game.
The left-winger often provided the speed of thought that is not often matched with one who shows such fleet of foot.
Braintree did begin to pepper the box for the opening ten minutes after the break but Worner was commanding under the high ball.
He showed the physical presence of a rugby player as he continually claimed the aerial bombs that Irons' widemen Akinola and James Mulley were putting into the box.
Keeper Nick Hamann was called into action for the first time in the half when he turned replacement Woking forward Guiseppe Sole's shot round the post low to his left.
Inside the last quarter of an hour Sean Marks, tireless up front for the Irons', thundered a header just past the post from an Akinola free-kick.
Braintree became more urgent in the final few minutes, though it felt like that came too late and they could not create the clear-cut chance they needed to pick up a point.
"We need to get some goals and that's what we'll be working on in the break," said Devonshire.
The Irons now have two weeks off before their FA Trophy first round game, which is still to be drawn.
