Stalybridge Celtic bowed out of the Manchester Premier Cup on Wednesday night after a 3-1 defeat at North West Counties side West Didsbury & Chorlton.
Celtic started the game brightly, taking the lead after just 13 minutes, but a strong fightback from the hosts saw them progress to the second round of the competition.
Max Leonard’s superb volley looked to have given the visitors a half-time lead, but a strike from Brandon Dawson just minutes before the interval saw the sides go in level.
From there, West grew into the game, and a quickfire double either side of the hour saw them turn the tie on its head, with Kaleb Parkinson and Jordan Lazenbury both finding a way past Charlie Monks in the space of six minutes.
“I’m disappointed,” said Celtic boss Jon Macken at full-time.
“After the first 15/20 minutes we should’ve been 3-0 up, the game should’ve been out of sight.
“There was no clinical edge there, and we just didn’t take our chances.
“I’m disappointed because I made changes, and it was an opportunity for some of the lads, but unfortunately, they didn't take it.”
Macken's side return to league action this weekend when they travel to promotion chasing rivals Chasetown.
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