Cleator Moor Celtic collected a vital 3-2 victory in their North West Counties clash at Daisy Hill.
It leaves the Cumbrians three points behind the Bolton side with a game in hand – but they are still having to look over their shoulder at the third relegation place.
That’s currently occupied by Atherton LR who are two points behind, but from having played an extra game.
Celtic manager Martin Mahone said: “It is very tight down there with a number of clubs all involved. Only six points separate South Liverpool in tenth and Atherton who are 17th and we are among them.
“So this was very important for us to win and the lads showed a great deal of character to come back and win it in difficult playing conditions.
“We had the strong wind in the first-half but only led 1-0 and wondered if it would be enough. But we got a quick second after the break and then saw them come back level.
“But against the wind and the momentum seemingly with them them we did exceptionally well to dig in and young Jay Wetherill went away to score a great winning goal.”
Celtic had gone ahead with a well-taken finish from Kieran Maguire, finding the net from the edge of the area.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ???? |
— Daisy Hill FC (@OfficialDHFC) January 29, 2022
Here are the highlights from today's 2-3 home defeat to @CMCelticFC.
Take a bow @jordyfitton95 for the inch perfect volley ????#UpTheCutters⚪️???? pic.twitter.com/C5Gbb5yHeD
Early in the second half a Tom Ward corner had the Daisy Hill defence in disarray and Wetherill forced the ball home at the far post.
But then two goals in as many minutes put Daisy Hill level. On 51 minutes Connor Hughes went through to beat Craig Rule with a clinical finish and sixty second later Jordyn Fitton took advantage of the wind to hit an optimistic punt from five yards inside the Celtic half. It sailed over Rule to finish in the net and put the hosts level.
Celtic had strong appeals for a penalty turned aside but they won the game when Wetherill was sent away and he beat the home keeper with a superb strike on the run.
It was Wetherill’s 21st goal of the season – 17 of them in League games and only four players are ahead of him in First Division North.
Celtic now have a run of three home games – Garstang on Saturday; Carlisle United in the midweek, Wednesday February 9 in the County Cup and then another League game with Chadderton on February 12.
