Celtic just could not equalise after Wythenshawe got a deserved opener.

Very little happened for half an hour, with both teams passing around but not probing. Until Prince Anuniru changed the match with a powerful run, shrugging off challenges, getting the rub of the ricochets, and though Josh Granite forced him wide, almost off the pitch, and fired a narrow angle shot into the far corner. Cue chance after chance squandered by Celtic. Obua Mugalula tried to replicate Anuniru’s goal, but fired wide, and fired over later. Liam Tongue saw his effort plucked from the air by Ryan Forde, and Ellis Horan’s low drive was straight at Forde. The chance of the half came to Jack Irlam, four yards out, ball at his feet, only the keeper to beat, and he poked it at the keeper.

The second half saw this continue. After Joel Mumbongo raced upfield, but this time, forcing him wide saw his shot hit the side netting, and Mike Koral got involved at both ends, blocking a blast from Tom Robbins off a corner, and firing over and wide at the other. With twenty minutes to go, bodies on the line kept Celtic at bay as Granite, Irlam and Lewis Rawsthorn tried to force a corner over the line, one save, one block and Forde smothering at Rawsthorn’s feet. Some chances went begging, like an Horan cross missed by Ruben Jerome, Jack Irlam and Lewis Rawsthorn. Last ditch defending right up to the final whistle stopped the rest, and the closest Celtic came was Andy Scarisbrick lifting the ball over the bar.