Cleator Moor Celtic have been hit by a £750 fine and a three-point deduction by the North West Counties League.
It follows them having to pull out of a fixture at Golcar when they were unable to field a side.
Manager Martin Mahone said: “The size of the fine is down to the level we play at so we just have to take it on the chin.
“But it was a black day for the club. Our lads are all mates off the field so it works for you in matches, but against you when these festival weekends occur.”
It puts Celtic bottom of the First Division North but with matches in hand of all the clubs above them.
They weren’t helped, though, by a 3-0 defeat at Steeton yesterday when conceding sloppy goals proved crucial.
Mahone said: “Their keeper made a brilliant save to deny Callum Birdsall before they went down the other end and we gave them an absolute gift.
“That knocked our confidence on an unfamiliar artificial surface and it was 2-0 by the interval.
“We had our chances during the game but couldn’t take them and a third goal clinched it for them.”
Celtic can forget about their League problems, when the need for points is apparent, as they have two knock-out fixtures coming up.
They host Harrogate Railway on Saturday, the team that knocked them out on penalties last season, in the FA Vase.
Then on the following Tuesday (October 5) there’s another home tie, this time in the first round of the County Cup against Penrith.
