1. Unbeaten home runneth over.
United's unbeaten home record finally came to an end as Hornchurch became the first side to come away from Plainmoor with all three points.
Whilst the disappointment of defeat is understandable, a chorus of boos greeted the final whistle, the likelihood of the Gulls going through the entire season unbeaten was always going to be extremely unlikely.
The Urchins, managed by former Gulls loanee Daryl McMahon, also extended their own unbeaten for the campaign to 14 games, as they go five points clear of second placed Weston Super Mare.
Nevertheless, given that so many teams topped the league last season, McMahon, who led Ebbsfleet United to promotion in 2016-17, won't be getting carried away.
However, if United can bounce back with a win in either of their next two away games against Farnborough on Wednesday night and at Maidenhead United next Saturday, then their loss to the Urchins will soon disappear into the annals of time.
2. Cody Cooke was a big miss.
Despite having plenty of shots from distance, United lacked a real presence in the penalty area which Cody Cooke would have provided had he been fit.
Not only could Cooke have got on the end of some of the numerous balls that United were putting into the box, he could have also helped bring other players into play and helped them get into positions of maximum opportunity.
No date has yet been given for Cooke's return, but young striker Sonny Fish, who is continuing his return from injury, shows glimpses of his ability, so he could step into Cooke's shoes when he is fully up to speed.
3. Sonny Fish.
In his latest cameo, Sonny Fish displayed a few glimpses of the talent that Gulls boss Paul Wotton has been keeping tabs on over a number of years.
Fish was making his fourth appearance from the bench as he eases his way back to full fitness, and he produced arguably the most impressive of his cameo displays, as he got in some good positions and showed a higher level of fitness.
He will surely be pushing for a starting berth against either Farnborough or Maidenhead.
4. Callum Dolan's first of the campaign.
After seeing Jordan Young and Louis Dennis miss spot-kicks against Salisbury FC and Dorking Wanderers, Callum Dolan stepped up to convert from the spot for the Gulls in the 11th minute against Hornchurch.
It was Dolan's first for the Gulls since his permanent return to United, after he found the back of the net twice
5. A moment where the game could have turned.
During his post-match interview, United manager Paul Wotton said that United had untold moments where their execution wasn't quite right, and one such moment was a chance for leading scorer Jordan Young in the 13th minute.
Two minutes earlier, Callum Dolan had given the Gulls the lead from the penalty spot and Young looked well placed to double their lead after being through by Matt Jay. However, the opportunity fell to him on his weaker right foot, rather his stronger left foot, and he fired a tame effort straight at Hornchurch's Wolves loanee keeper Arthur Nasta.
As it transpired, Hornchurch equalised on 20 minutes with a penalty of their own before netting their winner early in the second half.
Had United doubled their advantage, it would surely have turned out to be a different game, perhaps with a different outcome too.
