Kendal Town suffered another defeat in the Northern League First Division – but after a game they should have won.
The Mintcakes lost 2-0 at Birtley Town but had enough chances to have been home and dry.
They had dominated the first-half before going behind against the run of play when they fell behind to a goal from Kelvin Thear on 37 minutes.
Thear was able to turn in a cross un marked at the far post after Kendal had controlled the game.
Steve Yawson fired at the keeper when through one-on-one; Matt Dudley fired wide from a good position and a cross from Ben Thomas just needed a touch in the six yard box but nobody could get there.
It was a similar tale in the second half when Ryan Winder had a shot well saved and Dudley headed just over from a good position.
Birtley had hardly been in it since their goal but on 65 minutes Scott Heslop was left unmarked to head home a second goal for the hosts.
It seemed to knock the stuffing out of Kendal but they did have another chance when Leyton Holden rose superbly to get his head on a cross but he put it wide.
Kendal are now 19th of 22 in the table and get a break from League football on Saturday when they play their first qualifying round tie in the FA Vase.
They are up against Northern League First Division opposition but their hosts Tow Law Town are bottom, having lost all seven games so far.
