A poor first-half performance cost Cleator Moor Celtic dearly last night.
They eventually lost 5-1 at Darwen after conceding four goals in a disastrous first-half.
Travelling mid-week has often been a problem for Celtic in the North West Counties League and for the trip to Darwen a few senior players were missing.
All except three of the starters were under-21s and it was literally men against boys, especially in the first half.
Manager Brian Dawson said: “Again individual errors and failure to take our own chances cost us. We were 4-0 down at half-time and it wasn’t a good watch.
“We read the riot act at half-time and changed formation and personnel. As a result we competed much better.
“We did concede a fifth but showed character to get on the scoresheet.
“We could and should have reduced the arrears more to make it more respectable.
“But we need to take the second-half performance into Saturday’s game which is massive to us as we host third bottom Nelson.”
Tom Houghton scored the Celtic goal after 64 minutes.
