Cleator Moor Celtic manager Brian Dawson made his North West Counties debut for his side at 44 – in their 3-1 defeat at Runcorn Town.
He came on as a substitute for the last 15 minutes and almost pulled a goal back with a far post header that was just wide.
“I didn’t sleep after that because I thought I should have scored,” admitted Dawson, who had played for the Celtic Development League earlier in the season in a County League game.
He said: “We went with a depleted squad to give some of the players a spell off because of our hectic schedule of four games in a week.
“It was horrendous. It took us five-and-a-half hours to get there due to Bank Holiday traffic and arrived at 3.30pm which obviously wasn’t ideal especially as we were only given 15 minutes to warm-up.
“Actually we started well and played some good football in the first half when we were the better side and should have been in front.
“We had several opportunities to pull the trigger but we were trying to thread the ball through the eye of a needle rather than take the opportunities.
“In fairness they were the better side in the second half but the goals we conceded were definitely avoidable.
“Once they got their noses in front our boys tired on what was a poor, heavy pitch and awful playing conditions.”
Oliver Wright gave Runcorn the lead after 12 minutes but in the second minute of time added on Connor Hammell took Celtic into the break all square.
The home side won the game with goals from James Salkeld (53) and Charlie Holland (63).
Celtic now have a Cumbrian derby ahead on Thursday night when they make the short trip to Holker Old Boys whose poor run of form continued with a 3-2 home defeat by South Liverpool.
They had trailed 2-0 until Patrick Allington scored on the half hour and had conceded a third by the time Allington scored again a minute from time.
They are six points out of the play-off places with two games left to play.
