Whatever doubts Market Drayton Town had about the demands of their step up from the Aspire Midland Alliance to the Unibond League south, they were spelled out by this rather cruel setback
Their squad decimated by the absence of nine players through injury, illness and suspensions, Drayton showed plenty of the fighting spirit that won them promotion as the Alliance's League and Cup double champions last season.
But Grantham Town's  greater experience showed through as they delivered a classic lesson in how to kill off the opposition at this level while they're down.
Three goals in five disastrous second half minutes added up to a scoreline that even Grantham's most avid supporters admitted was flattering.
"They gave us a tough lesson in clinical finishing," admitted Drayton manager Simon Line. "They knew just how to be ruthless at just the right time.
"I certainly did not think we were four goals short of them. We battled well and could have had another two or three goals ourselves.
"We also hit the bar and had that gone in, I think we might have done it.
"We knew there were lessons we had to learn in this league but we will learn them. I was pleased with the way our lads battled; their heads did not go down and that's always good to see in a squad.
"We competed all the way and, when we have everyone available again, we'll be more competitive too." 
The three quickfire strikes by Ben Saunders, Rob Norris and Rob Stubbs in the 62nd, 65th and 66th minutes came at a time when Drayton's patched up team looked as though they might just beat the odds Lady Luck had stacked against them.
Drayton had made a dream start with Martyn Davies, declared fit on the eve of the game, rising high to flick home a ninth minute near-post header. 
They had the visitors really rattled for most of the first half, hitting the bar - the ball bounced down and away - and making impressive keeper Gary Hateley prove his worth with good efforts from Davies, Duncan Horler and Luke Reynolds, who had come out of retirement to help his old club. 
But Gratham gave warning of what was to come with a 26th minute equaliser. One moment they were struggling to keep Town out on the left, three swift passes later Jio Carachedi was cutting through a stretched defence on the right to score.
Another followed quickly, Adam Jones putting Grantham ahead just three minutes later. Drayton rallied well and were unlucky not to equalise but while battling on keenly until the end, their main chance to take a decisive grip on the game had gone.

Drayton hope to have three of their suspended players, Grant Goodhead, Jamie Haynes and Andrew Spooner, available for Tuesday night's trip to Loughborough Dynamoes in the league.