Alfreton Town crashed out of the F.A.Cup at Cleethorpes Town on Saturday in the Second Qualifying Round, the first time in 18 years that the Reds had lost to a team two divisions below themselves.
Back in 2003 similar shock waves reverberated through the camp when a last minute winner knocked them out at the first hurdle at Gedling Town, who plied their trade 75 places below.
And in their history probably only defeat to Tividale at home in 1975 in a replay could have been considered as equally disappointing.
Granted there was a degree of effort put in but very little was forthcoming with just one shot on target in the entire 90 minutes, which in turn allowed Cleethorpes to overcome their nervy start to the game and grow in confidence.
And the scriptwriters had their last laugh when former Alfreton striker Brody Robertson sealed the issue with a 50th minute strike from a right-wing cross that had not been dealt with.
Yusifu Ceesay almost latched on to a wayward back-pass on 22 minutes and a long Adam Lund throw caused confusion before Rhead's effort was blocked on 36, but that was the sum total of either team's pressure in the blandest of first halves.
There was more urgency shown after the break with the hosts taking just five minutes to nudge ahead, but in response only a Josh Wilde shot from 20 yards that missed the target and a brace of corners won by Tom Allan and Rob Evans posed any threat.
Rhead was bundled over on 72 minutes as he stretched for a Dayle Southwell cross, but hopeful penalty appeals were waved aside
Robertson was left clear again on 78 minutes but squandered his chance of a second goal, then two minutes later the writing was on the wall when Allan was sent off for a dangerous tackle and the Reds were down to ten men.
A Dan Bradley corner found Rhead beyond the back post, but his 83rd minute header came back across the face of goal, and there was brief hope two minutes from time when Ceesay was brought down on the edge of the area only for Southwell to fire the free-kick harmlessly over.
Alfreton have an immediate chance to atone with a home National League North game on Tuesday night when Leamington FC are the visitors - k.o. 7.45pm.
ALFRETON: Willis; Clackstone, Wilde (Reeves 76], Wiley, Smith, Allan,
Bradley, Lund [Southwell 68], Rhead, Hobson [Evans 50], Ceesay.
other subs: Branson, Smith-Eccles.
Referee: Aaron Bannister
Attendance: 297