Well, that happened. At the full-time whistle many of those in red just stood with hands on hips, heads drooped, bemused. Slough Town were superb. Yes, perhaps Worthing did allow them that space and time to drive into a three-goal lead before the break. But take nothing away from the host’s performance. They were exceptional throughout.

Tuesday night had witnessed dropped points. Perhaps it was the fair result, yet in a race as taut and tense as this, a win would have had the Worthing zealots on cloud nine. As it is, this mid-February bout between two teams with the same sobriquet was another that Worthing could hardly afford to slip-up in. Slough Town dropping the banana skin this time, their impressive home form alone has kept their heads hovering above water. If you expected a stroll, you only had yourself to blame.

A swift flick back to October would spotlight Slough’s strengths. Yes, Worthing had fired four past them within an hour, yet their mentality and mettle almost earned them a point. Sure, defensively they may have been suspect on that occasion. But what player-manager Scott Davies has instilled within his side is an indefatigable urge that had Worthing sweating throughout. The full time whistle could not come quick enough.

There were stirs as the clock struck 2pm below the typically dull-skies above Arbour Park. Mo Faal was on the bench. Tommy Willard, who has looked irresistible since his return, found himself in the starting line-up. There was even a first start for Odei Sorondo since he re-joined the club last month. Chris Agutter threw the dice a little here. It didn’t pay off.

As the first whistle sounded those that journeyed up from the Sussex coast started to make some noise. Slough are a side who are typically content in waiting for the ball to come to them. When they break, they break at speed. Chris Haigh has been somewhat of an unsung hero as we move into the final few months of the season. He’s built a highlight reel to rival that of his forwards, and here, with just four minutes played, he produced another. Slavi Spasov the man bewildered by Haigh’s reflexes.

But five minutes later he would be picking the ball out of his net. In the opening half Slough were particularly imperious. They executed their gameplan to perfection, squeezing Worthing deep in their own half. For the majority of the half there were six or seven Slough players deep inside Worthing’s half. By the 30th minute Haigh had fished the ball from his net three times. The Reds simply could not cope with the press.

Outmanoeuvred, outplayed and without an outlet in Faal or Temi Babalola, Slough would win the ball back in promising areas and just keep tormenting the Reds backline. Out it would be sent to David Ogbonna on the right-hand side — who had himself an immense game — and he would have an abundance of yellow shirts to pick from. He’d set up Spasov with a beautiful cross for the third, after John Gilbert had rolled his side in front and Scott Davies had doubled the advantage with a perfect free-kick.

It could have been four or five. The half time whistle blew, and Worthing were spared of any more blows. Changes were needed. Agutter, incandescent in his chalked white box for the majority of that opening half, opted for a triple switch. Babalola was on, so too was Sam Packham and Nicky Wheeler.

Worthing had an outlet now, yet Agutter probably wished he’d kept Liam Nash on the pitch as Babalola was played through on goal. With just Charlie Horlock to beat, the ‘keeper won the battle, palming the effort wide. In truth, Babalola couldn’t have done much more. He was already making an impact. Wheeler saw a low, drilled effort tipped wide. Worthing were stronger, hungrier. They had to be.

Faal was on with 30 minutes of the match remaining. They pushed further forward, enjoyed far more of the football, but just couldn’t locate that final finish. Slough added their fourth with 17 minutes of the match remaining. Jeanmal Prosper was excellent in the base of his side’s midfield. He produced an excellent challenge on Jack Spong to stop the counter, and within 7 seconds the ball was in Haigh’s net.

Ogbonna teeing up Spasov for a second time, the theory was simple, yet the execution had to be perfect. That goal sparked more delight In the Slough dugout than any other. They knew the three points were sealed. They had been utterly brilliant throughout.

This was a disappointing afternoon for Worthing, but in recent weeks a defeat was likely due. Perhaps not in quite as extraordinary circumstances as this, but they must see it as a way to react. And return with greater determination if they are to challenge for promotion.

There are still plenty of points on offer, more games in hand to be played. This was Worthing’s first defeat in the league for 81 days. If they can go that length unbeaten again, then silverware will be coming to Woodside Road. It’s all about the response, and next week provides the perfect platform. This is far from finished.