Tamworth FC's 20-game undefeated sequence has ended after South Armidale beat them on penalties in a third round FFA Cup clash at Johnson Field.
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However, the unbeaten run was recorded during the side's undefeated premiership-winning season in 2018.
So, as FC coach Greg Bartlett pointed out, the winning streak would resume when the Premier League commenced on April 6.
FC's only loss last season came in round four of the FFA, when Bangalow beat them 3-1.
On Saturday, Tamworth FC led 2-0 early but then had Josh Bartlett, the coach's son, sent off for what Bartlett said was swearing at a match official.
FC's first goal was scored by Kurt Burrow, who, from the edge of the penalty box, turned and found the left-hand corner of the net.
Troy Hearfield then converted from a corner.
Despite being a man down, FC maintained the lead until halftime, before two second-half goals by South Armidale levelled it up at full time.
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South Armidale's second goal was scored in the dying seconds of the match.
The visitors then won the penalty shootout 6-5.
Bartlett said his players did a "pretty admirable job" after playing most of the match a man down.
There is bad blood between the two sides, but Bartlett denied Saturday's clash was ill-tempered.
"It was actually a pretty good game," he said, adding: "I thought it was played in the right spirit."
In other FFA Cup games, OVA lost 6-1 to Bangalow at Johnson Field on Sunday morning.
On Saturday, Demon Knights lost 6-1 to Woolgoolga Wolves at Coffs Harbour, and Armidale City lost 9-0 to Kempsey Saints in Armidale.
