Whitehaven put up a creditable performance when they had to travel to West Lancashire League leaders Thornton Cleveleys without several regulars.
It was the start of a stiff run of matches, four in a row away from home, and they took some positives from the final score, a 3-1 defeat.
The Cumbrians started the game sluggishly and it took two good saves from Tom Fowler to keep them in the contest.
As the game developed a change in formation from manager Jon Karl Benson meant that Whitehaven came much more into the game and produce opportunities.
When Owen Woodburn slid the ball through to Aiden Smith he blasted the ball against the post when faced with a one-on-one with the keeper.
Whitehaven were on top and on 37 minutes a well-taken corner by Tom Powell fell at the feet of centre back Cody Benson who slotted the ball home from five yards.
It was all one-way traffic and Whitehaven should have been 3-0 ahead by the break. Kian Goulding and Woodbiurn both missed good chances and there was a golden opportunity for Carl Denver who completely missed a free header.
In the second half Thornton made a couple of changes and came out all guns blazing and their mid-field four, playing as a diamond started to dominate. By comparison Whitehaven suddenly looked tired and lethargic.
Thornton scored two good goals in quick succession to get in front and then Whitehaven had a very strong penalty appeal turned down.
Indeed numerous decisions didn’t go Whitehaven’s way in a crucial spell, including a second good penalty shout, before Thornton broke to clinch the game with a third goal.
In the last five minutes there was one more chance for Whitehaven but Woodburn blazed over from eight yards.
Cody Benson was named man of the match with honourable mentions for Tom Fowler and Brad Harrison.
