The Blues’ unbeaten League One record looks in serious threat with two Colby Bishop goals, the second a penalty, having given Accrington Stanley a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Town were without Flynn Downes, James Norwood, Kane Vincent-Young and James Wilson for their first ever league game against Stanley.
Downes suffered a hip injury while away with England’s U20s, Norwood underwent groin surgery early last week, Vincent-Young suffered a groin problem at Fleetwood a fortnight ago, while Wilson is suspended for one game after his red card at Highbury.
One-time Stanley centre-half Toto Nsiala came into the back three for the first time this season, Gwion Edwards was at right wing-back, Andre Dozzell in midfield and Alan Judge playing off lone striker Kayden Jackson, who was facing his old club.
The Blues’ third ex-Accrington man Janoi Donacien was among the subs, as were Will Keane, Emyr Huws and Armando Dobra.
Ex-Accrington man Jackson hit the first shot of the game in the second minute, an effort on the turn following a neat moving involving Dozzell, Skuse and Judge which was blocked.
Rain began to fall persistently as skipper Luke Chambers required a few minutes’ treatment and a bandage after taking a blow to his right eye in a clash with Offrande Zanzala.
On eight Garbutt whipped over a freekick from the right, which Judge flicked into the side-netting at the near post.
Town defended a couple of corners and then a freekick as Accrington started to see most of the ball as the game passed the quarter-hour mark.
And in the 18th minute Stanley took the lead. Sam Finley sent over a high, looping cross from the right and Bishop was allowed to head back across Tomas Holy and into the corner of the net.
A minute after the goal Nsiala was booked for a foul on Zanzala just inside the Town half, although the Accrington man had appeared to have gone to ground very easily.
Accrington continued to look the more threatening side, particularly when crosses were put into the box with the Blues’ backline less assured than has usually been the case.
Accrington should have doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Callum Johnson sent the ball into the box and Zanzala headed well wide when he ought to at least have hit the target.
Town came within inches of getting on terms in the 32nd minute. Skuse played a clever ball to Edwards on the right, the Welshman in turn finding Jackson, who crossed into the area.
Keeper Dimitar Evtimov failed to gather low down and the ball ricocheted towards goal off Judge. However, as Garbutt looked to add the final touch, Jordan Clark was able to clear off the line.
On 37 Zanzala flicked an effort wide from a Clark cross from the right with Accrington still looking the more dangerous side. Two minutes later, Chambers blocked Sean McConville’s effort from a cross from the right, where most of the home side’s threat was coming from.
In the 41st minute Stanley went two in front from the penalty spot. Nsiala shoved Bishop as a cross came into the box and referee Sebastian Stockbridge pointed straight to the spot. Bishop slammed the penalty to Holy’s right and into the net to claim his second goal of the afternoon.
Edwards was booked for a foul midway inside the Town half before referee Stockbridge brought to a close a very disappointing half for the Blues.
After making a tidy enough start, Accrington had began to frustrate the Blues in midfield, forcing them into too many long balls. The home side subsequently began to threaten more and more, particularly via crosses from the right.
Bishop appeared to be in acres of space as he headed the opener while the push from Nsiala, who had a tough return to first team football, for the penalty all but gifted the striker his second of the game.
Town need to be significantly better in the second half if they are to maintain their undefeated record and it seems likely manager Paul Lambert will shuffle his pack.
Accrington: Evtimov, Johnson, Hughes, Sykes, Clark, Finley, Zanzala, McConville, Bishop, Conneely, Opoku. Subs: Bursik, Edwards, Kaba Sharif, Pritchard, Carvahlo, Charles, Alese.
Town: Holy, Woolfenden, Chambers, Nsiala, Edwards, Skuse, Dozzell, Nolan, Garbutt, Judge, Jackson. Subs: Norris, Donacien, Rowe, Dobra, Georgiou, Huws, Keane. Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge (Tyne and Wear).