KIRKBYMOORSIDE finished a topsy-turvy week in the Wearside League with a disappointing defeat away to high flying Cleator Moor Celtic – suffering from a controversial late goal.

The 3-2 loss deflated an upbeat travelling support, who had seen a strong away performance in a midweek victory over relegation-threatened Guisborough Town.

The Moorsiders took the lead early in the first half against Celtic, with in-form Jonny Brown heading in a Paul Hodgson free-kick.

The equaliser came shortly afterwards when home defender Craig Corkhill slotted into an open goal after seemingly bundling the ball out of teenage goalkeeper Adam Magson’s hands.

Ten minutes later, the hosts were in front with Darren Johnson slotting home from close range.

Man-of-the-match Brown pulled the Moorsiders level, turning and unleashing an unstoppable left-foot shot from 16 yards to double his tally.

However, another turn in the match was to prove pivotal as Corkhill struck his second from a dubious free-kick with the final whistle approaching.

The midweek fixture against lowly Guisborough was a less competitive affair with the Moorsiders running away in the second half to claim a 4-1 victory.

Playing on a hard, dry surface made for good football, the away team took the lead after 24 minutes with Brown again the deadlock-breaker, storming through a static defence before slotting into the corner. A brief spell of Guisborough pressure towards the end of the half brought an equaliser with a quick free-kick catching the Kirkby defence napping for Town’s Paul Millward to slip the ball past Collier.

After the break, Kirkby held a stronger grip on proceedings. Alex Strickland nudged past the onrushing ’keeper and Lee Alexander extended the lead to create a two-goal cushion.

The tie was wrapped up with seven minutes remaining with 12-goal midfielder Brown curling in a 25-yard free-kick.

Kirkby remain in mid-table on 47 points after the week’s results with a good chance of eclipsing last season’s total of 49.

The first of four remaining fixtures pits the Moorsiders with a tricky test away at table-topping Ryhope tonight (Wednesday) at 6.30pm. On Saturday they are again on their travels, to Wolviston, kicking off at 2.30pm.