Kendal Town stay top of the North West Counties Premier Division despite dropping points for the first time this season.
They gave away a 4-1 half-time lead to finish all square 4-4 at Barnoldswick, a result which had followed four straight wins when they had conceded just a single goal.
Manager Jimmy Marshall said: “It’s disappointing to have thrown away such a lead but at the start of the season we would have taken 13 points out of 15.
“Two of the goals came from crosses into the box which we didn’t deal with and we probably did switch off a bit after establishing our lead.
“But we got back on the front foot for the last ten minutes and could have got ourselves in front again. The thing is it was an away draw but under the circumstances it felt like a defeat.”
James Bailey scored the first two goals inside 13 minutes to take him to eight for the season as the former Walney Island striker continued his hot start to life in the North West Counties League.
He was actually on hand to notch his hat-trick goal when the Barnoldswick defender, under pressure, headed over his keeper forb the third Kendal goal.
Ryan Winder scored the fourth goal right on half-time to send the Mintcakes into the break looking nailed-on for a fifth successive victory.
Barnoldswick, although 12th in the table, are no mugs and are one of just four teams unbeaten so far. This was their fourth draw in five outings.
Following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Consett, Kendal have re-arranged a League game for Saturday when they will be at home to Pilkington who are ninth in the table, five points behind the Mintcakes.
