In front of a crowd of 337 at Watnall Road, Town were beaten 3-2 by a Celtic team managed by ex-Yellows boss Steve Burr.

After the miserable defeat by Gainsborough Trinity in their opening match four days earlier, joint manager Mick Galloway dropped himself and reverted to a more orthodox 4-4-2 formation.

And in an open and entertaining game, it looked like paying off when Town took the lead in the fifth minute – Dave Kettle lashing home at the far post.

But they were unhinged by a cruel, deflected free-kick, a bad defensive error and a controversial penalty.

The free-kick, from Celtic midfielder Terry Barwick, ricocheted in off Town's defensive wall, only two minutes before the interval.

The error was dropped by right-back Jay Smedley, who misjudged a long ball, allowing man-of-the-match Chris Williams to tee up Lee Ellington to put Celtic ahead on 62.

And the spot-kick came six minutes later when Laurie Wilson was adjudged to have fouled Ashley Wooliscroft and Steve Torpey sent goalkeeper James Lindley the wrong way from the spot.

To their credit, Town refused to buckle and bagged a consolation goal ten minutes from the end when Wilson's corner was steered home by the head of Danny Bacon, who was again The Yellows' best player.

This weekend, the locals face a double-header at Harrogate Town on Saturday and at home to Droylsden on Easter Monday.

TOWN LINE-UP (4-4-2) – Lindley/ Smedley Winder McKenzie Smith L./ Smith M. Mitchell Wilson L. Kettle/ Ricketts Bacon. Subs: Sucharewycz (for McKenzie 27), Cullingworth (for Smith M. 45), Knox, Ward, Galloway.

DON'T MISS RICHARD SILVERWOOD'S VERDICT ON THE MATCH IN THIS FRIDAY'S DISPATCH.