In a disappointing performance Windscale snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when they lost 3-2 at West Auckland Reserves.
It was especially frustrating as they twice held the lead at 1-0 and 2-1.
Harry Hodgson opened the scoring for the Atoms in the 4th minute.
Travis Fyfe played him in and Hodgson ran forward before slotting the ball beyond West Auckland’s keeper Luke Bell.
West Auckland responded five minutes later when Zack Blyth brought the hosts level after a move that was poorly defended.
Windscale took the lead again in the 17th minute with Hodgson scoring his and the Atoms second.
Jack Wordsworth sent in a well-placed cross to the back post finding Hodgson who buried his effort beyond Bell.
West Auckland gained parity in the 24th minute with probably the goal of the game.
Ben Creamer picked-up the ball wide on the halfway line and used his pace to circumnavigate a number of Windscale defenders.
They appeared to have no interest in stemming his progress before he slotted the ball beyond Levi McAdam the Atoms keeper.
With no further scoring both teams retired to the changing rooms all square at 2-2, West Auckland more content with their performance than the visitors.
Inexplicably the Atoms were unable to reach the quality of play they have exhibited in their last half dozen games.
They continued to look the more likely to register the next score but were unable to create many clear cut chances.
Home keeper Bell did, however, have to make two fantastic saves to repel efforts from Kieran Lawson and Ben MaHaffy.
West Auckland caught the Atoms back on their heels again in the 65th minute in what proved to be the match winning goal.
Some poor defending subsequently gave Blyth the opportunity to complete his brace.
This defeat still leaves Windscale in 5th position which they earned with hard work and commitment fter a mediocre start to the season.
However, there are a number of teams circulating round that can leapfrog them due to the games they have in hand.
The Atoms will have learned from this performance which must improve if they are to get back to winning ways.
They have two testing home fixtures scheduled, the first against Barnard Castle next Wednesday with a 7.45pm kick-off, followed by Durham Corinthians the following Saturday at 2pm, but no game tomorrow.
Here’s what Stephen Fawcett had to say:
