Cleator Moor Celtic paid the price of a sloppy first-half in their West Lancashire League game at Thornton Cleveley’s.
They went in at the break 2-0 down and although they were much better in the second-half they still finished on the end of a 2-1 defeat.
Manager Stuart Shaw said: “We all know that the second half was us and how we need to apply ourselves from the first whistle.
“But going in at half-time 2-0 down is simply not good enough.
“That all came down to lads not working hard enough off the ball, not winning individual battles and not picking-up the second balls.
“I know the ha and work rate is there within the players and I didn’t get that first-half.
“Coming out second-half I was after a reaction and got that when we looked more like our usual selves.
“We were creative on the ball, made endless amount of chances but more importantly as soon as we lost the ball we went and won it as a unit and generally put a shift in.
“Credit, though, to a very good Thornton Cleveley’s side who soaked up a lot of pressure in the second-half and managed to hold on for the win.
“Conceding two sloppy goals to our standards proved to be the difference.”
Brett Dawson (38) and John Frazer (45) gave the hosts their half-time lead and Celtic could only pull back one goal through Connor Hammell (73).
*Local rivals Whitehaven should have travelled to Wyre Villa but the game was postponed because of an unfit pitch.
