Droylsden missed out on the chance to close the gap on close rivals Abbey Hey on Tuesday night, losing 2-1 which moves the Gorton side seven points above the Bloods in 4th place.
After 11 minutes, Droylsden looked for a penalty when it appeared AJ Warburton was fouled inside the box, but the referee waved play on despite the appeals from the home side.
Abbey Hey came closest to opening the scoring when they struck the post and forced Jordan Hadlow into a save on the follow-up. Then five minutes later they did take the lead when William Shawcross set up Joesph Bevan who slotted the ball through the legs of Hadlow.
The visitors were then awarded a penalty in the second half following a foul on Bevan, but Shawcross blasted the spot kick high and wide.
In the 66th minute, Abbey Hey did double their advantage, and a looping pass was sent towards Josh Dickin who was left unmarked at the back post to head home.
Droylsden was not at their best but did pull one back through Joel Ankers after he weaved his way through defenders in the box to smash one home with his left foot.
Despite some late pressure from the home side, they were unable to trouble the visitors’ well-organised defence.
The Bloods are back in league action on Saturday when they travel to Staffordshire to take on 11th-place Stafford Town.