An own goal on his full debut by Gary Sawyer was enough to send Exeter City crashing to a home defeat against lively Canvey Island.
The Grecians were poor in the first half and despite a fightback after the break they could have few complaints about not taking anything out of the game.
Canvey dominated the first half and should have been well ahead by the break.
Ty Gooden had the first attempt on goal for Canvey when he curled a long-range free-kick over the bar.
Exeter attempted to push forward and launched a rare attack when Gareth Sheldon picked out Alex Jeannin, whose dangerous low cross was cut out by David McGhee.
Canvey deservedly went ahead in the 20th minute. Matthew Joseph's fine cross from was met by Neil Gregory and when his header came back off the bar it was steered into his own net by the unlucky Sawyer.
They almost stretched the lead when Lee Boylan whipped in a great cross which was again met by Gregory, who headed inches past the post.
After the break Exeter looked much more confident and came close to an equaliser two minutes after the restart.
Sheldon's fine cross was met by Sean Devine, but his touch just took the ball past the post.
Andy Taylor's fine pass then picked out Les Afful and Exeter had a penalty appeal turned down when the striker was caught by Peter Smith.
Jeannin tested the goalkeeper with a powerful strike from 30 yards and Sheldon headed over the bar from Scott Hiley's cross.
The Grecians forced a string of late corners and began to look capable of getting something out of the game, but there was no way back and Canvey were good value for their first victory in the Conference.