Cleator Moor Celtic earned a good point at home to Bacup Borough with a 2-2 draw in the North West Counties Division North.
Bacup are just outside the play-off places while Celtic are still battling to avoid the relegation zone and are currently three points clear.
Manager Martin Mahone said: “It was the usual story of not being able to get out our strongest team but under the circumstances the lads who played gave everything against a good side.
“With just a little luck we could have won the game in the closing minutes. We thought Kieran Maguire had scored a good winning goal but it was chalked-off for offside.
“Then from a corner, and something we use a lot, Jack Hunter got free at the far post. Normally he would have headed home but this time put it just wide.”
Celtic had taken the lead on 14 minutes when Darren Little headed in a corner and it was pretty even after that.
There was a frantic end to the half when a defensive slip let in Alex Mellor for an equaliser in the first minute of time added on.
But in the fourth minute of injury time Jay Wetherill headed in his 17th goal of the season to give Celtic the lead at the break.
Ten minutes into the second half Bacup were level with a well created goal, finished off by Kyle Siddle.
Then both teams had chances to win the game before Celtic’s big finish almost got them over the line.
With no game this coming week Celtic will next be back in action on January 8 when they visit bottom side St Helens Town.
