Cleator Moor Celtic made a return trip to Bacup Borough and suffered the same result – a narrow 3-2 defeat.
After last week’s League reversal they went back for the second round of the Edward Case Cup.
Without several regulars, and blooding more of their talented youngsters, Celtic were 2-0 down inside 12 minutes through a Kyle Siddle double.
On 29 minutes Tom Houghton levelled for the Cumbrians and just before half-time Bacup had a man sent-off for a dangerous tackle.
Celtic dominated the second-half but weren’t able to equalise until the 86th minute when Tom Short headed in a free-kick.
The visitors were looking confident and even without a goal would have fancied their chances in a penalty shoot out but they were caught on the break in the 89th minute when Toby Wright grabbed the late winner.
Manager Brian Dawson said: “With it being a Cup tie and through missing a few of our regulars, it was something of a free hit. We tried a new system to start with and it didn’t work as we conceded a couple of early goals.
“We went back to how we had been playing and started to get to grips with the game, cutting the deficit before half-time. I thought we were in charge in the second half, were dominating but it was late when we equalised. Unfortunately we got caught late on and they scored the winner.
“We have to focus now on Tuesday’s County Cup tie at home to Carlisle United. We will have some of the lads back but a couple picked up injuries at Bacup which will probably keep them out.”
