United were forced into a last minute change as Dave Smart injured himself during the warm up, to be replaced by James Messenger making his first start for the club.
The game couldn’t have started much better for United however though as Jason Taylor continued his rich vein of goalscoring form with an unstoppable 25 yard effort that arrowed into the top corner of the net with just three minutes played.
Three minutes later, St Francis were level after being awarded a penalty following an alleged foul by Aaron Capon, despite no appeal from the visiting the side. Jamie Weston stepped up and put the ball just out of the reach of Russ Tanner to make the game level inside the opening ten minutes later.
St Francis doubled their lead just after the half hour in highly controversial fashion.
The assistant referee raised his flag to signal offside against St Francis, but play continued until former United striker Nathan Milroy was inside the area. Milroy looked at the linesman who still had his flag raised, who in turn looked at the referee who appeared to signal play on as Milroy then rounded Russ Tanner and place the ball into the net.
The decision incensed the United team and fans, with Taylor receiving a caution for his remonstrations.
The decision visibly affected United, with short passes going astray and any rhythm lost.
United were dealt a blow at half time as Wes Tate was substituted due to injury and replaced by Wade Eason, himself returning from a spell on the sidelines.
Ten minutes into the second half, St Francis extended their lead further as Stephen Smith rolled the ball across Tanner after breaking from midfield past a static defensive line.
Bradley Lewis, a recent signing from East Preston, was introduced to the action with just over twenty minutes remaining for his home debut in place of Taylor, but failed to see enough of the ball to change proceedings.