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Poor Celtic hit rock-bottom

30/12/2004

CELTIC go into the New Year battling for their Conference North lives after two second-half strikes gave the hosts a belated Christmas present.

With new signing Phil Hadland starting up front alongside Andy Hayward, the Blues battled away despite seeing Danny Caldecott stretchered off having just returned.

A boost for Celtic was the appearance on the bench of Craig Dootson following his knee injury, while Gregg Pearce was also named as sub.

Celtic wasted an early chance to take the lead when, from a free-kick, Paul Sykes' effort was knocked up into the air and the Celtic midfielder - along with Hayward - conspired to head over.

At the other end, Phil Priestley superbly denied Terry Fearns before Caldecott fired over for Celtic.

Southport opened the scoring after half-time when, following a dubious onside decision, Fearns' shot deflected off Caldecott and into the net.

Priestley then prevented Southport from doubling their lead three times before the hosts eventually added their second as Fearns broke clear to slot past Priestley.