STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 0, VAUXHALL MOTORS 1
Under-achieving Stalybridge Celtic were victims of a giantkilling act following their home defeat by Vauxhall Motors in the second round of the Cheshire Senior Cup.
It was a night to forget for near full-strength Celtic as they lost to opponents three divisions below them in the football pyramid.
What was worse to stomach was the fact the cash strapped Bower Fold club missed out a lucrative semi-final against their neighbours Hyde United.
Celtic were limp, lethargic and lacklustre on a gloomy night as fog had earlier in the evening put the game in doubt.
It lifted in time for kick off which was delayed until 8pm as Motors were delayed through heavy traffic.
Celtic must have wished the fog had not cleared as they were out of sorts as they slipped to a third straight defeat.
The recent run of only one loss in 11 games appeared a distant dream.
Celtic created only one clear-cut chance in the opening period when Motors’ goalkeeper Ryan Crump pulled off a super double save to deny Darius Osei and Ross Dent.
Osei was unlucky to have two goals chalked out in 10 second half minutes, both for offside.
The decisive moment in the match came with 20 minutes left when Jack O’Leary conceded the penalty which substitute Michael Burkey converted.
It came about after two minutes of madness for O’Leary who chopped down Burkey as he burst into the box.
He had moments earlier been booked for a deliberate and needless handball.
Motors might have finished with a wider margin of victory but for a super save from Manchester United loanee Alex Fojticek to deny Karl Noon with Celtic never coming close to equalising and forcing the tie to a penalty shootout.