Workington Reds lost 4-0 at home to Dumbarton conceding two goals in the last few minutes of each half.
Certainly for the opening 40 minutes it had been an even, interesting contest.
Dumbarton were playing a fourth warm-up game as they prepare for the opening League Cup game next Saturday.
Workington were only playing their second friendly after opening on Thursday night with a 5-2 win at Whitehaven.
Both teams wanted to get the ball down and play, knocking the ball around confidently – and creating chances.
Indeed in the first half both goalkeepers excelled with top class saves.
Workington had borrowed Gabe Breeze from Carlisle following an injury to Danny Eccles and Jim Atkinson’s absence.
He produced three very good stops to keep Reds on terms – an acrobatic dive to claw away a shot from Kalvin Orsi; a brave block at the feet of James Hilton and then a flying save to turn away the follow-up shot from Ross MacLean.
At the other end Brett Long also distinguished himself, first going swiftly to his left to palm away a fierce effort from Dav Symington.
Then he was forced to leap and stretch to turn a goal-bound header from Aidy Roxburgh over the bar.
On 40 minutes, however, Dumbarton found a way through. Carlo Pignatiello found space in the box to lift in a cross and MacLean leapt unopposed to head home.
In the second of three minutes added on the Scots scored a second. A free kick on the edge of the area was curled superbly home into the top corner by the left foot of Ryan Blair.
As usual in these sort of games the changes were dotted throughout the second-half and there was not the settled rhythm of the first half from either side.
Workington had the best opportunity, early in the half, when a trialist forward was put through but as he tried to chip Long the keeper comfortably took it at head height.
The third and fourth Dumbarton goals came in the 83rd and 88th minutes.
Declan Byrne headed home from a yard out and then Luca Vata was in acres of space when he was able to lift the ball past Breeze.
Biggest concern for Reds boss Danny Grainger was the sight of Symington gingerly walking off late in the game.
He already has keeper Eccles out through injury while Brad Hubbold is just on the way back from injury, and Morecambe are the visitors to Borough Park on Tuesday night.
