Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour blamed poor defending for his side's disappointing 3-1 defeat at Kidsgrove on Saturday.
The result leaves Bishops firmly rooted in the bottom two, who will be looking to bounce back by taking advantage of a string of home games after their midweek trip to Bamber Bridge.
"Defensive errors cost us," said Honour.
"We're conceding early goals, and then we have to play catch-up football.
"Everything else in the performance was okay.
"This was a big result which went against us, so we'll just have to roll our sleeves up even further."
Bishops went behind after four minutes when Steve Tobin scored from a rebound.
Then, after 27 minutes, Shaun Hope lost possession to former Derby striker David McNiven, who beat John Caffrey with a dipping shot.
Bishops then had Stuart Irvine sent off for dissent, but they pulled a goal back with a well-placed shot by Lee Maddison with just ten minutes remaining.
However, they were caught pushing up for the equaliser when Darren Wilkes scored from the rebound after Caffrey had initially saved from McNiven
Bishops are still second bottom because bottom-club Trafford lost at Guiseley, who are now four points ahead in third-bottom spot.
Spennymoor's match against Lincoln United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. No date has been set yet for the rearranged fixture.
Meanwhile, Spennymoor have been drawn against Bishop Auckland in the first round of the Presidents Cup, the consolation cup for the clubs knocked out of the second round of the League Cup.
In the Premier Division, Whitby Town had an excellent 3-2 win at Bradford.
Aaron Wilford and Lee Ure put the visitors deservedly 2-0 up, and even though Bradford pulled a goal back, Alex Gildea clinched victory with a third goal.
Blyth, under new boss Paul Baker, lost 3-1 at home to Stalybridge to leave them fifth bottom of the table.
Gateshead drew 2-2 with Barrow at the International Stadium.
* Pickering Town Football Club have been praised by councillors for winning prestigious community club status.
The club told the town council this week that it would now be able to apply to the Football Association for funding to coach young stars of the game in the Pickering area at their schools and also in after school hours training sessions and during school holidays.
Coun Gaynor de Barr said "This is a tremendous achievement and it will benefit many youngsters in our area"
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