Cleator Moor Celtic edged nearer safety with a hugely important 1-0 win at Atherton LR in the North West Counties First Division North.
It hoisted Celtic to 11th in the 19-strong League, eight points clear of third bottom Atherton who are in the final relegation place with the two below them seemingly doomed.
The Cumbrians have five games left to play, starting with Saturday’s home game with Steeton who are a point and a place behind them in the table – and from a game more. They follow-up with a rearranged game at Nelson on Tuesday.
Manager Martin Mahone, who is standing down at the end of the season said: “I just want to get us safe and then I will breathe a huge sigh of relief.
“We had a few injuries and then Brad Tatton dropped out at 9am on the morning of the game so we had to bring in a teenager who hasn’t played much.
“But the team responded and really were magnificent over the 90 minutes. It was only 1-0 but we thoroughly deserved the points.
“It was a special goal too from Tom Ward. There was a bit of a scramble in the box and it broke to Tom just outside the box and he drilled a great shot into the bottom corner – a quality finish.”
That goal came on 64 minutes and Celtic saw it through comfortably, even denied the chance of a second after having a strong penalty claim turned down.
“We still have a few walking wounded but everyone who has come in had stood up to the plate and hopefully we can soon relax because we know we are safe.”
Indeed if Atherton LR lose at Holker Old Boys on Saturday and Celtic beat Steeton it will be job done.
