Highbury Korfball Club lost their unbeaten league record after a 15-7 defeat away against Croydon II in the London Regional League, but the Swiss Cottage-based side still find themselves top of the fledgling table.

The reds had a few players missing through injury, so coach Andrew Speck gave first starts of the season to Alun Perkins, Amy Redston and Nazlee Jordan.

The changed Highbury side raced into an early 3-0 lead with goals from captain Moses Hutchinson-Pascal, Nazlee Jordan and Amy Redston and it was looking rosy for the visitors.

But Croydon hit back with three goals to level and, although Matthew Dodds briefly restored Highbury’s lead, it all fell apart from there with the home side asserting their dominance with four goals, putting them 7-4 up at the break.

The second half started in the same fashion with Croydon extending their lead to four goals.

Jordan and Alun Perkins brought the gap down to two yet, just when it looked as though Highbury were getting back into the game, the south Londoners hit two more unanswered goals.

Jordan won a penalty and Hutchinson-Pascal converted to provide some relief to Highbury – but Croydon finished the game off in style with four spectacular long-range efforts and a penalty conceded by Will Tiddy.

Highbury will hope their fortunes improve on Sunday as they face Cambridge Tigers in a crucial England Korfball League Promotion Division match.