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Away campaign ends with defeat

9/ 4/2008

CELTIC completed their regular-season travels with a second successive away defeat to mid-table opposition.

The Blues were much the better side for most of this game, but failed to take their chances while aiding and abetting Boston to convert their few opportunities.

After Celtic had dominated the first 20 minutes with Chris Hall and James Dean causing plenty of problems, United took the lead with their first attack.

Paddy Gamble uncharacteristically allowed Ashley Nicholl’s deep free kick to sail over his head at the far post, Mickey Nuttell nodding home past a defender on the line from an acute angle.

Celtic looked stunned, and 15 minutes later, the Pilgrims doubled their advantage when Ashley Wooliscroft inexplicably allowed Jon Rowan time to dispatch a weak, but well-placed shot, past Gamble and in via the post.

Backed by their large, vociferous, fancy-dressed following, Celtic fought back and went close to reducing their arrears on several occasions before the interval, most notably through Alex Meechan and Ashley Winn.

The Blues were given a great chance to get back in the game 10 minutes after the restart when Matthews was harshly adjudged to have fouled Dean, only for Andy Smart’s weak penalty to be saved by Chris Wright.

Boston took full advantage two minutes later as Nuttell rammed home his second after a corner.

Steve Torpey reduced the arrears in the 65th minute, and within seconds, had beaten Clark all ends up with a 25-yard screamer that whistled past the post.

Try as they might – and they did try very hard, especially when Paul Sykes went up front for the last 1- minutes – the Blues could not score again with Barwick’s free close-range header and Torpey’s shot across goal their best chances.

Although Celtic did not play at all badly, individual errors contributed to their downfall, a fact manager Steve Burr will doubtless be ramming home to his players before the play-offs get under way.

Attendance: 1,215