However, their mood would have lifted slightly after discovering that second-placed Slough Town had also lost 2-1 at home to Frome Town.
A crowd of just over 500 at the New Windmill Ground saw Brett Donnelly spoil the Brakes day with a brace in the 30th and 64th minutes.
Courtney Baker-Richardson threatened the Canaries lead when he reduced the deficit nine minutes from time but the visitors held on to move to within six points of the leaders.
Slough remain four points behind after their surprise defeat at Arbour Park to a Frome side hammered 6-1 by Truro City in the FA Trophy last time out.
In front of 460, a Guy Hollis own goal gave the Somerset side a fourth minute lead. Oliver Knight then added a second after 67 minutes, with a penalty by James Dobson three minutes later giving the Rebels some hope.
Chippenham Town were unable to make any progress in the top five after their game at Hardenhuish Park against Chesham United had to be abandoned due to a serious injury to the General`s Bruce Wilson, who needed the air ambulance`s assistance.
And fifth-placed Merthyr Town went down to a 1-0 defeat in Robbie Nightingale`s first game in charge of second-bottom Cambridge City, Charlie Woolfe scoring the only goal in the 65th minute.
Redditch United are sixth and two points adrift of the Martyrs after beating another of the strugglers, Cirencester Town, 4-1 at home.
It was all over bar the shouting at half-time after goals from Luke Keen after six minutes, Simeon Cobourne after 34 minutes and new signing Gurjit Singh just before the break.
Singh bagged his second to make it 4-0 with eight minutes gone of the second half, Ciren`s reply coming from their recent striker signing, Alan Griffin 10 minutes from time.
Dunstable Town dropped a place to seventh after being held to a goalless Creasey Park draw by King`s Lynn Town, while Banbury United and Kettering Town remain within touching distance of the top five after wins on Saturday.
The Puritans saw off neighbours Stratford Town 2-1 at Station View, thanks to a Guy Clark own goal after 78 minutes and Callum White two minutes into stoppage time after new signing Ben Stephens had given the visitors a 57th minute lead.
The Poppies made it two home wins in a row with a 2-0 success over bottom side Cinderford Town.
The damage was done in the opening 10 minutes as Aaron O’Connor fired home the opener before Brett Solkhon headed home a James Brighton corner to give the hosts a cushion.
Hayes & Yeading United enjoyed their best win under joint bosses Paul Hughes and Richie Hanlon, beating the team immediately above them in fourth-bottom spot, St Neots Town, 5-1 on their own patch.
It was a real horror show by the Saints who found themselves a Ryan Hope goal down inside the opening minute and 3-0 down by the break after strikes from Josh Hutchinson and Cole Brown.
Mitch Weiss added Hayes` fourth on 56 minutes and Hutchinson bagged his second on the hour-mark to make it a nap hand. James Hall`s penalty on 72 minutes was all St Neots could manage in response.
Kings Langley and Weymouth shared a 1-1 draw in which Chris Shephard`s 50th minute penalty for the Terras was cancelled out by Dean Hitchcock 17 minutes from time.
St Ives Town boosted their survival hopes with a fourth successive win, this time 2-0 at the Camrose against Basingstoke Town.
These sides were two divisions apart last season, but goals from Dubi Ogbonna after just three minutes and Danny Kelly 10 minutes before the break, mean they are now only five points and four places apart.
Two goals in three minutes from Jake Smeeton and David Jerrard put Dorchester Town in command by the 20th minute at the Avenue Stadium against Biggleswade Town. Connor Hall cut the deficit to one three minutes after the break but the Waders couldn`t find a leveller.
Follow the EVO-STIK League Southern on Twitter at @SouthernLeague1
Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.
Subscribe