Carlisle City went down 3-1 at West Auckland in their final away game of the season in Northern League Division One.
But it was a game, against a side lying third in the table, that they could have got something out of.
They hit the bar early on and missed a couple of good chances before Josh Scott put West Auckland two minutes before the break.
Manager Jim Nichols said: “We were a bit annoyed because their left back, who played a big part in the goal should have been sent-off earlier for a bad challenge on one of our players but was only shown a yellow. I do believe the referee realised he had made a mistake.”
City got back on terms nine minutes into the second half through a fine strike from Jordan Palmer and the game could have gone either way.
“They didn’t really have a lot of pressure on us but they did regain the lead when their lad scuffed a shot from the edge of the area and somehow it bobbled into the bottom corner.
“We threw the kitchen sink at them after that but couldn’t get back on terms and they got away late on to score a third,” said Nichols.
Nathan Greenwood had scored both goals for West Auckland to clinch the points which kept them third with one game to go at Whitley Bay – but still not certain to make the play-offs.
As for Carlisle City they have a big game to look forward to on Saturday when they entertain Bishop Auckland who are joint top, with two games in hand over rivals Shildon, and have only lost twice this season.
City complete their programme the following Saturday with another home game against Northallerton who are currently third bottom.
