Hornchurch suffered their first home defeat of their inaugural National League campaign as an early goal from Ricardo Rees earned Forest Green Rovers a 1-0 victory at Bridge Avenue.
Daryl McMahon's side entered the match looking to build on an impressive start to life in the National League, having won four of their opening five fixtures.
However, the visitors made the brighter start and capitalised on their early dominance.
Forest Green took the lead after 10 minutes when Sean Etaluku produced an excellent run down the left before delivering a precise cross into the box.
Rees arrived at the perfect moment to steer the ball home and give the visitors an advantage they would never surrender.
The Urchins struggled to find their rhythm during the opening half-hour as Forest Green controlled possession and looked the more dangerous side.
Josh Walker produced Hornchurch's first meaningful effort on goal, forcing Ethan Ross into action, while Arthur Nasta was called upon at the other end to keep the deficit at a single goal.
Forest Green continued to threaten, with Filozofe Mabete narrowly missing with an ambitious effort from around the halfway line before Nasta produced another fine save to tip Kyle Kelly's effort over the crossbar from a corner.
Hornchurch gradually grew into the contest as the first half progressed and almost carved out an opening on the counter-attack shortly before the break.
However, Jayden Clarke made an outstanding recovery run and crucial last-ditch block to deny the hosts a clear opportunity.
Despite spending much of the first half on the back foot, the Urchins went into the interval trailing by only a single goal.
McMahon's side emerged with renewed purpose after the restart and delivered a much-improved second-half performance.
Forest Green threatened first when Kyle McAllister headed wide, but Hornchurch soon began to apply pressure in search of an equaliser.
Aaron Rowe fired over before the game settled into an evenly contested battle, with the hosts enjoying more possession and territory.
Forest Green, though, remained organised defensively and continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack.
Hornchurch came agonisingly close to levelling four minutes from time when substitute Bobby Kelman found space in the penalty area, only for Ross to produce an excellent save to preserve the visitors' lead.
At the other end, Nasta kept the Urchins in the contest with a smart stop to deny Tate Campbell as Forest Green looked to seal victory.
The hosts pushed forward until the final whistle, but Forest Green's defence stood firm to become the first team to leave Bridge Avenue with all three National League points.
While the defeat brought Hornchurch's winning run to an end, there were positives to take from a spirited second-half display.
Attention now turns to Tuesday night's National League Cup clash at home to Ipswich Town Under-21s, where the Urchins will look to bounce back quickly.
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