Cleator Moor Celtic completed their away programme in the North West Counties League with a 2-0 win at South Liverpool.
Manager Martin Mahone was full of praise for his side after they had travelled without several key players.
“In some way it was our best away performance of the season, considering the players who were missing. But I’m delighted to say that the lads who came in really stood up to the plate,” he said.
“I have to single out Stuart Shaw who put up his hand and offered to play in goal when I couldn’t find anyone to replace the injured Craig Rule.
“He is in his 30s now, has been a decent outfield player but has been in semi-retirement and hasn’t played in goal. To be honest, he was great, making a couple of excellent saves and our back four were really good in front of him.
“They weren’t a bad side so to go there without some regulars and come back with the points on our last away trip made it a happy bus on the way home.”
Brad Tatton had an outstanding game in defence while the manager’s son Tom Mahone won the game with two goals, both finished with aplomb in first-half stoppage time and the 80th minute.
“We are just looking forward now to finishing the season in style on Saturday at home to Campion.”
That win lifted Celtic into tenth in the table and a win on Saturday could see them finish the campaign in the top half.
Campion have slipped recently and are just three points above the bottom three but with a vastly superior goal difference are in no danger of falling through the trap door.
