A disjointed Celtic struggled to get into the match, but their second half performance deserved more than a goalless draw at home to 1874 Northwich.

The first half saw Max Harrop’s free kick fly over in the opening minutes, ending Celtic’s chances in that half, with 1874 Northwich making most of the running.

Northwich should have done better with their chances, but profligate finishing kept Celtic in the running. Fenton Green and Jack Irlam both had early chances, but failed to trouble Elliot Wynne, whilst Jamie Nicholson came closest of all, with his shot scant inches wide of the post with a drive from the edge of the box.

The second half saw Celtic fly out from the blocks, with new signing Brad Byrne registering the first shot on target of the game for either side, only for Ellis Allen to get down well and pal the ball around the post.

Connor O’Grady beat Allen, only for Fenton Green on the post to block his header from a Jordan Burton corner. Allen pulled off a stunning save at the hour mark to deny Brandon Newell at close range and Byrne really should have put Celtic ahead, connecting with Michael Brewster's cross, but firing over the bar from six yards out.

With a quarter of an hour still on the clock and the deadlock still unbroken, Northwich did get the ball in the net, when Samuel Adetiloye tapped in, but he’d been offside.

As the final whistle loomed, it was the visitors that came closest to snatching three points, Wynne taking the ball at Adetiloye’s feet in a crowd, pushing Matthew Wolley’s free kick around the post and flying to deny Jamie Nicholson’s drive. Though Celtic got a string of corners in the dying moments, the Northwich defence held firm and earned a draw.