Cleator Moor Celtic lost 2-0 at home to NW Counties Division One North leaders Pilkington – but it could so easily have been a different outcome.
Manager Brian Dawson said: “I’m really proud of the lads after that performance possibly our best of the season.”
Two first-half goals kept Pilkington two points clear of Chadderton at the top of the table in what has virtually become a two horse race for the title.
Callum Laird scored after 15 minutes and right on the stroke of half-time Scott Sephton added the second.
Dawson said: “We were disciplined, organised, workmanlike and fantastic in possession. We had chance after chance but failed to take them which is the story of our season to be honest. Another opportunity passes us by without any reward.
“We conceded the first by failing to deal with a free kick into the box, something we need to look back at.
“Then the second, in all fairness, was a magnificent strike worthy of winning any game of football from outside the box.
“Apart from that they never put us under any real danger and I felt we controlled the game from start to finish.
“But I will say again goals change games and we need to learn to be more clinical in front of goal.
“We have to remain positive and if we can re-create that type of football in the last six games we should surely see some reward, hopefully starting at Holker Old Boys on Tuesday night.”
Holker’s miserable run continued at St Helens where they lost 3-1 and they have now slipped six points behind the play-off places.
Frankie Ellis scored for Holker on 84 minutes to pull it back to 2-1 but Joe Barker added DSaints’ third a minute later to clinch the points.
All the goals came after a scoreless first half with Dominic Whelan (53) and Brad Green (53) netting the first two for St. Helens.
