Celtic's fifth straight defeat has put them firmly on the bottom rung of the table, and there is something clearly wrong, as Lancaster were no great shakes, mustering only one shot on target in the ninety minutes, and that went in, albeit via a circuitous route.

Celtic attacked from the off, and Matthew Wolfenden held the ball up well in the box, setting up Aaron Burns at the edge of the Lancaster box, but disappointingly, the striker sent the ball flying over the crossbar. Wolfenden went himself the following time, riding several robust challenges to get a shooting position, but the final shot lacked the power to trouble Jonathon Powell, and the City keeper scooped up gratefully.

Lancaster's first attack proved enough, with Scott Harries skipping down the left wing and given too much space to cut inside and fire from an acute angle. His shot was pushed onto the post by Joe Slinn, the ball spinning across to Tom Kilfin who almost contrived to miss, spinning his shot onto the crossbar, the ball coming back out, hitting the ground with so much spin that it went into the goal.

Luke Ashworth saw his header from a corner deflected past the post, although it was adjudged to have been a miss, while Jake Charles got his effort on target, but Powell was barely troubled. Charles's again got into a decent position, but hesitated, and the defence closed him down so the final shot went wide.

The second half again saw a largely unadventurous Lancaster easily holding Celtic at bay. Luke Ashworth nodded a corner wide, but with lax passing and hit and hope long balls, Celtic were rarely breaking down the Lancaster defence who will hardly have an easier game. After Kilfin put the ball over the bar from a foot out and Craig Carney somehow put a ball into the side netting when completely unmarked, Paul Ennis was introduced for Celtic to try and rescue the game.

However, although Ennis had two cracking efforts through the crowded box, the first was well saved by Powell, the second had just too many bodies to get through.

Celtic seriously need to improve if we are not to face another season of heartbreak and disappointment.