The grimace and shake of the head said it all as Steve Holder reflected on a frustrating 2-1 loss at Millfield to newly-promoted Downham Town in their Thurlow Nunn Premier Division season opener.

Holder admitted his side were 'not at the races' despite going ahead in front of more than 300 spectators at Tinkers Lane.

"We huffed and puffed but just could not get the ball in the goal," conceded Holder. "We were not at the races from the start. We were lethargic all over the pitch.

"Fair play to Downham they have come here and been strong and deserve their three points."

Agony for Hadleigh (Picture: Nub News)

Hadleigh had gone ahead midway through the first half when skipper Jack Baker headed home a Carlos Edwards cross, somewhat against the run of play.

But sloppy defending allowed the Norfolk side to get back on level terms when they won a penalty just before the break, which was tucked away well by George Watts-Sturrock despite Nick Punter getting agonisingly close to it.

Holder said: "The one piece of quality in the box led to our goal but we gave a stupid foul away for their penalty.

"Then in the second half no one has picked their man up in the box and he has scored. They have had two shots of target and got their goal. It is frustrating."

Despite the setback. Holder is confident he has squad capable of recovering swiftly and pushing on.

"We lost our first three last season then ended up with a good season," he said.

Mason Harvey among debut-makers (Picture: Nub News)

Holder has every reason to be upbeat, with his new signings showing glimpses of the added quality they will bring to the squad.

With Liam Wales and George Bowman unavailable, Holder was forced to utilise Tom Warren and Harry Wales as central defenders, with Carlos Edwards and Mason Harvey as full backs.

Edwards, Harvey, and Luke Mallett up front, all made their competitive debuts for Hadleigh, joined by substitute Ollie Dunlop in the second half.

Congratulations after Edwards assist for Baker goal (Picture: Nub News)

Holder said: "Carlos offers a lot to the team. He showed his quality, where ever he plays.

"All the new boys have done well pre-season but today we were miles off it.

"They will tell you themselves they just weren't good enough but its a long season and we will be alright."

The game had its moments, with Downham having man sent off, and left angered when Hadleigh didn't.

Keeper Punter was fortunate to escape a straight red card when he handled outside his area, but referee Adrian Copsey, who had a good game overall, deemed it accidental and only showed a yellow.

This angered the Downham bench with one coach verbally clashing with a couple of home supporters due to his poor behaviour and leaving his technical area.

Coaches clashed with fans (Picture: Nub News)

Holder changed it up a little after the break, and even though the Brettsiders looked better, they again failed to clear at the back and Jamie Moore pounced to power in what proved to be the winner.

With Edwards now in midfield, and helped by the sending off of Town's central midfielder Matthew Franks for a dreadful tackle on Baker, United pressed for the equaliser but never really troubled keeper Duncan McAnally.

Although Franks was shown a second yellow, it could well have been a straight red.

Hadleigh were not able to take advantage of the extra man, although the likes of subs Dunlop, Kyron Andrews, Theo Carter, Louie Bloom and Reuben Chinnery, showed plenty of endeavour.

United go to Newmarket Town on Tuesday and are back at Millfield on Saturday when they entertain Cambridge City in the FA Cup extra preliminary round.