Whitehaven paid the price for a poor start at Rossendale when they went down 3-1 in the West Lancashire League.
They were slow out of the blocks and conceded on 12 minutes when Ricco Pembele put the home side ahead.
A second goal from Teal Amos followed and the first half had been a disappointing performance all round.
However the second half was considerably better and the game probably turned on a penalty decision which went Whitehaven’s way – but the offender wasn’t punished.
A Rossendale defender on the line virtually caught and threw out a shot, but was not sent off because the officials could not identify the culprit.
Josh Hilton’s spot kick was saved by the Rossendale keeper but had clearly moved forward well before the penalty was taken and the referee ordered a re-take which was successful.
Whitehaven dominated the game after that but couldn’t get back on terms before Rossendale broke away in the last minute to add a third from Scott Wylie.
Manager Carl Short gives his assessment below:
