Hosting bottom-of-the-table Aylesford Bulls, Warlingham were expected to win but instead, according to chairman Peter Wrightson, they turned in their worst performance of the season. 

In doing so, Warlingham gifted the visitors their first win of the London Division Two South East season going down 14-24. 

Wrightson said: "This was the worst we've played all season. The pre-match preparations were fine but it was clear that Aylesford had targeted us for their first win and deserve the points."

The first half of this tussle was error strewn on both sides as they tried to force the passes and, certainly on Warlingham's part, failed to do the hard graft to secure possession.

Time and time again they took the ball into the tackle, but with lack of support, possession was lost and Aylesford counter-attacked.

That said, captain Zack King, as always, led from the front, closely followed by Finnish international number eight, Mikal Ahola - but their isolation was too often apparent and the visitors gobbled up the ball.

Warlingham's defence held firm for half an hour before Aylesford, perhaps against the run of play, broke clear down the right flank and scored their first, unconverted try.

At half time the home supporters thought things would get better - they did not.

Two lapses of concentration saw the Bulls intercept a wayward pass to score.

Closely followed by a slick lineout ball and a dart through the midfield for the third try and they were 19 points to the good.

Warlingham were shell shocked and seemed to have no plan B game plan to fall back on.

A quick penalty from Aylesford, who were gaining in confidence, swung play wide right and the fourth, bonus point try was registered.

With an hour on the clock Warlingham looked to be down and out.

But from the depths they finally showed some spirit and aggression and pounded the Bulls' try line with determined drives from winger Alex Skinner and number 10 Joe McEvoy.

Ultimately, Warlingham's pressure breached the Bulls defence and a shimmy and dash from McEvoy rewarded him with a try which he converted.

A heartened Warlingham pack then gritted their teeth and put together several phases of play in the final five metres of the Bulls half.

As the match moved into the gloomy evening Ahola was rewarded for his 80 minutes of endeavour with Warlingham's second try, which McEvoy converted.

By this time, a dispirited crowd had repaired into the clubhouse shaking their heads in disappointment.

Warlingham remain fourth from bottom in the league.

Warlingham: Abou-Zeid, J Delderfield, Scut, Boufaied, Ioannou, L Delderfield, King, Ahola, Murtagh, McEvoy, Saffery, Davies, Skinner, Downie-Keene, Atkinson, Kenny, Ruddock.