Cleator Moor Celtic produced a superb performance to make progress in the FA Vase competition.
The West Cumbrians travelled to Sunderland West End of the Northern League with the bare 11 players – and came back with a 3-2 win.
It was an exceptional effort as they were behind twice, but equalised both times and then grabbed the winner with just under 20 minutes left.
Proud manager Martin Mahone said: “It was a bit worrying to take only eleven players for a national competition but the ones who went did the club proud.
“We needed three or four top class saves from our keeper Craig Devine but in truth we created better chances than they did.”
After the hosts had gone ahead, the manager’s son Tom Mahone grabbed the first equaliser.
West End went back ahead but then Mahone produced a fine cross for Jordan Little, who started the season with Workington Reds, to head in Celtic’s second.
An end-to-end game was settled by Liam Johnston’s third for the Celtic, who had to withstand heavy late pressure to complete their victory.
In the next round Celtic will have home advantage over Harrogate Railway, the team that beat them last season on penalties.
Before then, however, Celtic will resume their North West Counties League programme with a trip to Streeton.
