Windscale were behind to the runaway League leaders Durham United after only five minutes with Bryan Todd bringing down Chris Seery with his challenge after he touched the ball beyond the Atoms defender.
The referee had no hesitation in awarding a spot kick, Phil Kay converting beyond Fin Stephenson.
Despite conceding so early in the game, the Atoms had started the better and were now pushing to get back on level terms following the setback.
Ben Graham, Matty Pierce and Josh Wise all prominent in attacks on the Durham goal.
Windscale were forced into a change in the 30th minute when Todd was withdrawn due to injury and replaced by Lewis Selkirk.
Parity was restored nine minutes later when, following a run into the Durham penalty area, Selkirk was brought down by Durham keeper Harry Archer.
Liam Brannon slotting the resulting penalty kick into the back of the net leaving the scores level 1-1 at the break.
Durham regained their advantage five minutes into the second period.
Dan Morgan completely missed his kick in an effort to clear an attack, Oscar Schuller took advantage to shoot beyond Stephenson.
The Atoms attempted to respond with Graham, Brennan and Pierce all having efforts blocked.
The result was virtually put beyond doubt in the 67th minute when Seery notched Durham’s third of the game.
Windscale huffed and puffed after this however, they were denied an opportunity to reduce the arrears when the match official waved away what looked a legitimate penalty claim.
It was the two individual errors that virtually decided the contest and the Atoms will need to lick their wounds in preparation for their fixture against Annfield Plain next Saturday at the Falcon Complex, an opportunity to get back to winning ways.
