Kendal Town and Carlisle City both suffered agonising defeats in the Northern League, although of different proportions.
The Mintcakes’ play-off hopes took a set-back with a 3-2 home defeat by Easington Colliery while City were outgunned 5-0 by North Shields at Gillford Park.
The third Cumbrian side in the league’s Division One, Penrith, again had their match called-off because of a waterlogged pitch.
Their trip to Thornaby in mid-week was also called-off and there was more disappointment when yesterday’s trip to league leaders Guisborough followed suit.
Kendal stay third in the table but there are five or six clubs queuing up behind them suggesting a hectic scramble come the end of the season.
Easington had taken the lead after 15 minutes through Taylor Ford, which was quickly cancelled out by James Bailey (22).
The visitors regained the lead on the hour through Dan Eltringham and scored a crucial third six minutes from time.
Josh Winder (87) gave Kendal hope but Easington held on to take the points.
Here’s what chairman Michael O’Neill had to say:
Carlisle City hadn’t played since Boxing Day and it was suggested beforehand they would be either rusty or refreshed.
It didn’t need much assessing at the end as they shipped five goals to North Shields without replying.
Manager Dan Kirkup felt it was the worst performance he has seen since he took charge of the side last season and is contemplating changes on Tuesday when City continue the defence of the Fred Conway County Cup.
Opponents Windscale had a man in the 180 crowd assessing City ahead of the Cup game.
City were hit by two goals in a minute twice in the game, the second double strike finishing it as a contest.
They had missed two one-on-one chances and hit the post before Regan Patterson (36) and Tom Bexton, a minute later, gave Shields a 2-0 half-time lead.
Then early in the second-half Lee Mason and Stephen Hall clinched the points with two more in a minute.
There wasn’t even a consolation goal for City as the fifth of the game went to the impressive Patterson five minutes from time.
You can hear below what Carlisle City manager Kirkup thought of his side’s efforts:
