Whitehaven were beaten by the odd goal again when they visited Milnthorpe Corinthians in the West Lancashire League.
It finished 3-2 to the home side but once again there were plenty of positives for the Whitehaven management team to take from the game.
In many ways it could be described as a five-goal thriller, although it got a bit tasty at times as the tackles flew in from both sides.
Whitehaven had nearly got off to the perfect start when Bobby Carter spotted the home keeper off his line but his lob was just wide.
Milnthorpe – who are managed by ex-Gretna, Kendal and Penrith boss Chris Humphreys – took the lead on 11 minutes when a mix-up in the Whitehaven defence gave Joel Davidson a walk-in.
The second followed nine minutes later when the Corinthians were awarded a penalty after there were zero appeals from the home players – but the referee spotted something. Davidson scored from the spot.
Whitehaven could have crumbled then, feeling hard done by over the penalty award but dug in well, re-grouped and took the game to their opponents.
They got their reward five minutes before half-time when Carl Denver was felled in the box and Carter made no mistake with the resultant penalty.
Whitehaven started the second-half like a train and equalised after just five minutes when Carter smashed one home from 25 yards.
The keeper might have expected to do better but it was struck with such power he couldn’t keep it out.
After that the game turned spicy with both teams throwing themselves into tackles and it was a good old-fashioned scrap with several yellow cards being shown to home and away players.
Neither team wanted to give the other an inch but on 78 minutes Milnthorpe found that inch.
A really telling cross found Reece Pearce at the near post and he was able to knock home what proved to be the winner.
There were chances for both teams before the end – but no further goals.
Whitehaven’s assistant manager Chris Rourke said: “A draw would probably have been a fair result. We’ve lost by the odd goal twice now but I can’t fault the effort of the lads and on another day we could have won them both.
“A lot of the lads who came into this game did really well so I’m pleased at the depth we have in the squad.
“I thought our final ball could have been better but that’s something we can work on and all in all I’m positive about the season ahead.
“I think we’ve got the ability to go on a run once it clocks, it’s just getting that first one.”
Whitehaven travel to League newcomers Rossendale on Saturday. They have started well and signed players from the defunct Burnley United so will be a tough test.
