Newton Aycliffe lost another winnable game as they went down by the odd goal in five at goldfish bowl club Celtic Nation.

Allan Oliver’s side remain in trouble at the lower reaches of the table after their sixth league defeat in eight games, following their 3-2 reverse to the Carlisle outfit.

Nation were asset stripped in a summer of turmoil which saw the high profile departure of manager Willie McStay, assistant Davie Farrell and a string of top players all with professional game experience.

Former Carlisle man Mark Boyd has slowly rebuilt the side with local talent but Nation were just a couple of points, and places ahead of their visitors before kick off, a long way from last season when they narrowly missed out on the league title.

The opening exchanges saw Zak Boagey rattle the crossbar for the Blues while Lee Hoolickin went close in reply for the Hoops.

Boagey gave his side the lead on 20 minutes when he followed up his own missed penalty to beat ‘keeper Paul Casson to the rebound and slot home.

Flying winger Dean Douglas equalised for Nation when Will Jones failed to hold a shot and the ex-Bishop Auckland man had the simplest of tasks to prod home.

Oliver had to re-write his half time teamtalk when sub Johnny Allan gave the hosts the lead as the referee checked his watch before the break.

Connor Lowes got his second goal for the club when he equalised on 55 minutes as Aycliffe started the brighter of the pair in the second half, but Steve Skinner almost put his side ahead when he thundered a free-kick off the upright on the hour.

Nation scored their third on 65 minutes as Allan again tapped in from close range following excellent work from Hoolickin but the fans favourite fluffed his lines minutes later when he missed a penalty as he sniffed out his hat-trick.

Celtic Nation 3-2 Newton Aycliffe
Boagey 20, Lowes 55.

Jones; Storey, Oldfield, Clough, Langthorne, Upton, M.Young, Hinchley, Lowes, Atkinson, Boagey
Subs; Farley (GK), J.Young, Mitton, Broom, Owen

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