Cleator Moor Celtic were beaten 3-1 in the first round of the FA Vase after a long trek to Humberside.
The Cumbrians went down to a good Barton side but manager Martin Mahone couldn’t have been much more pleased with his side if they had actually won the tie.
He said: “We were under-strength because of holidays, work commitments and suspensions, so had to bring in four members of last season’s Under-16s team.
“It was a really good effort by the team and afterwards the sweat was dripping off them like thoroughbred racehorses.
“I thought they were a good side, and even with a full compliment I’m not saying we would have won, so it was a really good effort.
“We were still very much in the contest at half-time but they scored twice fairly soon after the restart and although we did have chances couldn’t get back into serious contention.”
Barton had taken the lead on 20 minutes and Celtic scored a good equaliser a quarter of an hour later.
Mahone said: “Kieran Maguire put in a very good cross and Brad Tatton got up really well to head home.
“It was a big moment for Kieran and it’s so good to see him back playing. He had a serious head injury after a fall at home and there were suggestions he might not play again. But he’s back, wearing a skull cap, and he had an excellent game for us.”
Celtic return to North West Counties League action on Wednesday when they travel to Garstang.
“We aren’t done favours through having to play away in mid-week but we will have some players back on Wednesday and we will go looking for vital League points,” said Mahone.
