We suffered a 3-0 defeat away to league leaders Stockport County.
Paddy Madden set the hosts on their way with a first-half header after Jayden Richardson had been unable to capitalise on two huge chances to give us the lead.
And Madden added his second after the break, making sure of the points after Ollie Crankshaw had doubled Stockport’s lead.
Ian Burchnall stuck with the 3-5-2 system he deployed against Wrexham in the Buildbase FA Trophy, with Vitezslav Jaros returning between the sticks and Connell Rawlinson being flanked by Adam Chicksen and Alex Lacey in central defence.
The width came from Joel Taylor and Richardson and the trio of Ed Francis, Matt Palmer and Cal Roberts lined up behind front pairing Ruben Rodrigues and Kyle Woootton.
After an even start, Stockport were the first side to show their hand as they forced Jaros into two good saves in quick succession.
The Czech youth international was called upon again five minutes later, saving at his post after a looping cross had been headed goalwards.
We were then provided with a golden opportunity to take the lead when we forced our hosts into an underhit backpass, which Richardson raced on to. He delayed his shot, putting the keeper on the floor, but dinked the ball over the bar with the net gaping.
And Richardson was in again on 22 minutes when his surging run was matched by Roberts’ through ball. The wing back beat the covering defender for pace and once again took the keeper out of the equation before opting to turn back with the angle narrowing. He eventually dug out a shot on his left foot but it was diverted behind.
Stockport responded by drawing another save from Jaros, before Rawlinson had to position himself well to block another goalbound shot.
But the defender was unable to prevent us going a goal behind on 28 minutes when a right-wing cross soared just over him, presenting Madden with a simple headed finish from eight yards.
Stockport could have doubled their lead shortly afterwards when a long, diagonal ball beat Richardson and sent Hippolyte through on goal. He opted to take his shot early on the bounce and got it all wrong, sending his effort well wide.
Burchnall replaced Taylor with Aaron Nemane at half-time but within two minutes of the restart the Hatters doubled their lead, Madden controlling a long ball forward and releasing Crankshaw who lashed the ball home from just inside the area.
Jaros pulled off another excellent save on 67 minutes, with Lacey making a big block on the follow-up, shortly before Roberts made way for Mitchell.
But three minutes later the hosts put the game beyond doubt when Will Collar let a low cross run for Madden, who produced a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
Mitchell jinked into the area and produced a save from Ben Hinchcliffe and Lacey made an excellent last-ditch challenge shortly after Dion Kelly-Evans replaced Richardson.
But there was to be no consolation on a difficult night at Edgeley Park.
STARTING XI: Jaros; Chicksen, Rawlinson, Lacey; Taylor (Nemane 46'), Richardson (Kelly-Evans 83'); Francis, Palmer, Roberts (Mitchell 69'); Rodrigues, Wootton
SUBS: Vincent, Brunt
BOOKINGS: Palmer 42', Francis' 52
ATTENDANCE: 7,951