Celtic crashed to their second consecutive defeat on a tense night at Bower Fold where issues at both ends of the table were at stake.
In truth this was a game of two halves. Kettering having much the better play in the first half during which they established their advantage. Celtic producing a fight back in the second and perhaps could have sneaked a precious point.
Kettering had given Celtic notice of their intentions for the off. Their sustained, though by no means exceptional period of play culminating in just one real effort, which came back of the bar.
Perseverance was to pay off as Chris Di Fante was to put the Poppies ahead shortly before half time.
1-0 before the break became 2-0 after as James Gould fired home a excellent free kick.
Celtic were coming unstuck by Kettering's well marshalled defence and were caught offside on numerous occasions.
Celtic strove for a way back into the game. Steve Smith at the heart of many of their moves ably backed up by Paul Sykes.
The lifeline was to come when Paul Shepherd netted his first for the club and the onslaught continued.
Aron Wilford was to have a late chance but it was all to little to late.
It's looking increasing likely that it's going to be just one of two teams that will go down.
Four games to go and Celtic are one of those teams. It's going to be a rough ride.