New Cleator Moor Celtic manager Clive Heaney saw his side get off to the worst possible start in his first Wearside League game of the season at Jarrow.

The game was only two minutes old when Craig Devine spilled a shot and Chris Lunn pounced and tapped home the lose ball from five yards out.

In the end they were on the wrong end of a 4-0 defeat, not the sort of score-line Heaney and his troops could have expected.

Celtic's response was a good one despite the set back. Glynn Edwards fired a free kick inches over the bar after Armfield was fouled on the edge of the box.

Armfield looked sharp as he marked his debut with a good performance and linked up well with Evans. He saw a shot blocked and from the resulting corner Celtic came close as a Jarrow defender cleared the ball over the bar but only just and it was Armfield who headed into the hands of the keeper from the resulting corner kick.

Celtic kept pressing despite that early set back and when Armfield robbed the Jarrow defender his angled shot went over the bar.

They were made to pay for those missed chances as Jarrow broke the length of the field with three passes and Barry Fowler was alleged to have caught the Jarrow attacker in the box. Lunn converted the resultant spot kick.

Celtic again responded well as Armfield and Evans both had half chances while Craig Padley had a chance but his header went wide after a good move came to nothing.

Celtic found themselves three down on 40 minutes as a neat Jarrow move was finished off by Christy Elliott despite the efforts of goalkeeper Devine. Elliott was denied a second by Devine and Polkington headed over as the half ended.

Heaney ran the riot act at the break as he was far from happy but Devine was called into action early on in the second half as he thwarted a Jarrow attack. Christy Elliott was one on one but the Celtic keeper saved the day.

Armfield and Evans again linked up well but once more lady luck was not with them.

Despite being three down Celtic never gave up and that had to please Heaney who saw his side concede a fourth in the last minute of the game.

The manager said he was disappointed but he was not alone as everyone felt the same.

“Everyone's head is down but its a short turnaround and we can put it right in our first home match on Wednesday night and on Saturday we make the short trip to Windscale,” said Heaney.

Celtic Team: Devine, Fowler, Baitson, Scott, Corkhill, Fowler, George, Padley, Edwards, Armfield, Evans. Subs: J. Stainton, Thornton and G. Stainton.

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