Chester FC were victim of a top-class centre-forward's display in their 5-2 home loss to Lincoln City.
That was the verdict of Lincoln boss Danny Cowley after watching star striker Matt Rhead destroy Chester's impressive defensive record.
The Blues went into the game having conceded just one goal in their previous nine unbeaten National League outings.
But they were unable to handle Rhead who scored two goals and created three more in a man-of-the-match performance.
And Cowley said: "When your centre-forward plays as well as that, you've got to win games,.
"That's as good a display as I've ever seen from a forward at this level. I thought he was phenomenal.
"That's the reason we worked so hard to keep him. I said to him in the summer, 'I've spoken to you and your agent more than I've spoken to my wife'.
"It was hard work but it was good work. It was just about trying to make it work for Matt because he desperately wanted to stay."
Lincoln came from behind to record a win which moved them up second in the standings and within four points of leaders Forest Green Rovers.
And Cowley, whose side are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions, said: "We started really well and had control of the game in the first 30 minutes.
"We then gave away three free kicks away in quick succession which just gave them the opportunity to load our box.
"They got some momentum and eventually scored which was disappointing for us. We've got to see those periods out better.
"That said, we showed great determination and resilience. Good teams have got to win games in different ways, especially when you go behind in games."
