Another poor decision cost Cleator Moor Celtic the points in their latest North West Counties fixture against Daisy Hill.
A late goal gave the Bolton side a 3-2 victory and kept the Cumbrians in relegation trouble at the foot of the table.
Manager Martin Mahone said: “It sounds like sour grapes but I’m not that type and to be honest we’ve been on the wrong end of some horrendous decisions this season.
“It hasn’t helped us that we’ve not been able to get our best team out each week for various reasons but the decisions on the field against us have been really hard to take.
“On Saturday the linesman appointed by the Cumberland FA pulled out at the 11th hour. It meant, as a club, we had to supply a replacement.
“In the end, a young lad volunteered to run the line. He is not a player, not a club official and not a local referee but was prepared to have a go.
“I’m afraid he was the only person on the ground to miss a clear offside from which Daisy Hill went through to score and lead 2-1. I think he’d been getting some stick from his mates and was distracted.
“What made it worse from my point of view was that the referee was in a much better position to give the offside decision but chose not to. Yet earlier in the game, he did overrule one of his decisions.”
Celtic had fallen behind twice in the second half, after a goalless first period with the manager’s son Tom Mahone twice firing them level, the first time with a thundering 30-yarder.
But then four minutes from the end Daisy Hill got in for the winner to deny Celtic any reward for a battling performance.
“Even Daisy Hill were apologetic afterwards but they still went away with the points,” said Mahone.
Celtic are back in action on Wednesday night at home to Penrith in the first round of the Cumberland County Cup.
“We had some players unavailable on Saturday who will be back for the Cup game so there will be a few more options for me,” said Mahone.
