CHALFONT St Peter rested nine players as their year-long unbeaten home record came to an end when Dunstable Town beat them 2-1 in the Premier Division Cup.
The Saints who have a 100 per cent league record after 14 matches made multiple changes for the game with just Adam Louth and Charlie Strutton surviving from the side that beat Langford 3-0 at the weekend.
Strutton opened the scoring but Dunstable hit back with two second half goals to win.
Boss Danny Edwards said: “We don’t like losing but we have to prioritise this season and this cup wasn’t our priority.”
His team have a seven-point lead in the league to protect and are also having another serious tilt at FA Vase glory after reaching the semi-final just a couple of years ago.
And Edwards is determined his side won’t suffer from burnout like they did then.
He said: “We played 69 games in the season we reached the Vase semi-final and that was too many.
“All the boys have full-time jobs as well and I don’t want anyone playing more than 50 games this year.
“We started the year with four cup competitions so I am going to rotate players and I need to do that because I want to give people a chance as well.”
Saints lost Adam Bernard to Windsor and Eton because he could not crowbar his way into Chalfont’s all-conquering side and he proved his ability with a brace on Tuesday.
Edwards said: “I’m delighted for him. He’s gone to a club two leagues higher than us and scored two for them.”
Saints are back in league action tomorrow when they visit Hanwell Town.
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