Two goals in each half condemned UEL to a damaging defeat. Morale will have been hit, and the side need to get back on track quickly, and will face a relegation six-pointer against Chichester.
Hartpury opened the game strongly and should have gone ahead in the opening 10 minutes but central defender Simon Dahl produced a brilliant goal-line clearance after the Hartbury striker had been played through on goal.
However, Hartpury made their pressure pay not long after as they took the lead in the 15th minute thanks to a superb strike from the Hartbury midfielder, curling the ball into the top corner from 25 yards, leaving goalkeeper Tom Wyant no chance.
After the goal, UEL were struggling to contain their opponents, as relentless pressure meant the ball kept coming back at the UEL defence after it was temporarily cleared upfield.
Nonetheless, UEL had a great chance of equalising through captain Siao Levi Blackwood. The midfielder should have done better as he produced a tame shot when teed up by striker for the day, Liam MacDevitt.
The visitors went two up with a soft second goal midway through the first half, as UEL were punished for their mistakes. The ball was pulled back by the striker for an on-rushing midfielder to slot away, after the striker was played through over the top.
The second half saw UEL find some much-needed possession of the ball as the hosts came out pressing well and keeping the ball on the floor, having spent the entire first-half on the back foot.
UEL made their pressure pay when they got a goal back just three minutes into the second half. Great wing play from Kwasi Nyarko-Marfo saw him play it back to Tom Bailey, who crossed for Ellis Brittain to head in from close range.
Unfortunately this was as good as it got for UEL as they fell 3-1 behind in the 60th minute from a free kick on the edge of the box. A shortpass led to a shot that crashed off the crossbar only for the ball to go in off the back of the unfortunate Wyant.
At this point UEL had lost all hope and the game was petering out. A loss of concentration and a questionable offside call from the assistant referee led to Hartpury’s fourth goal of the match. After initially being played through, the Hartbury striker pulled it back for the winger to score through Wyant’s legs.
The loss sees UEL stay second from bottom, however having played a game more than bottom club Chichester, they could find themselves bottom if results go against them.
UEL now have to wait until 2017 for their next fixture as they will travel to South Wales.