Poor kicking and lack of composure cost Wallingford dear as they lost 21-20 at Trowbridge in South West 2 East.
The absence of Jackson Sayce through injury proved crucial as wing Pete Strang struggled to hit the target.
Strang did, however, put Wallingford ahead with an early penalty, which home centre Nicky Little equalised.
Fly half Henry Pooler's break went unrewarded for the visitors before Trowbridge scored with their first real attack, Little converting.
Centre Pete Holton almost set up a Wallingford try, then Strang missed two simple penalties.
Full back Angus Brettel set up a try for centre Henry Venners to leave Wallingford trailing 10-8 at the break.
Two Little penalties, either side of a wasted Wallingford chance set up by Pooler, and a try saw Trowbridge lead 21-8.
The final ten minutes saw replacement Johnny Collett send Venners over close to the posts.
Venners, Strang and Collet then set up Pooler for a try, which Strang converted, but Trowbridge hung on.
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