Cleator Moor Celtic were in seventh heaven as they moved up to sixth in the Hallmark Security League Division One North after a fine display against Darwen.

At kick-off the visitors had sat fourth, three above Celtic but after a 7-1 demolition they slipped to a place behind the Cumbrians.

Jamie Edwards wasted two chances early on for the visitors and Craig Rule had to make a superb save to thwart Niall Ellis.

But Celtic also had their moments with man of the match Tom Mahone unable to make the most of shooting opportunities and Stuart Shaw had a good effort saved by Darwen keeper Jordan Gidley.

There was a hint of controversy about Celtic’s opening goal. Shaw had a snap shot spilled by the keeper who then regained it off a defender’s foot and referee Emmanuel Edet deemed it a back pass.

So, with every Darwen player on the line, Shaw tapped the ball to Mahone and he fired it past everyone to give the Hoops the lead which they held until half-time.

Darwen responded well at the start of the second half and they drew level through Elliott Pond who headed in an Ellis corner.

Just a few minutes later, Celtic were back in front following another big call from the referee when he sent-off Martin Parker for denying Callum Birdsall a goal-scoring opportunity. Jordan Little converted the penalty to give the hosts a 2-1 advantage.

Darwen had an early chance to draw level but Rule had to make another fine save to deny Jamie Edwards.

A long clearance from Rule found Shaw who played in Aaron Kelly and although Gidley saved and Darwen cleared the subsequent corner, a defensive mistake allowed Birdsall to pounce and score the third.

A Mahone free-kick rattled the bar but with seventeen minutes left on the clock Little played a great ball to Shaw who found Mahone and he thumped a shot past Gidley.

Darwen should have reduced the arrears but Rule denied Heany with another excellent stop and then saved a Karl Turner penalty.

It wouldn’t have made much difference because soon afterwards Birdsall made it five as he superbly lobbed Gidley from way out on the touch line.

Josh Charlton got his reward for some hard work as he added the sixth when Birdsall turned provider and right on full-time Adam Meagan made it seven.

Manager John George said: “We showed the maturity that we have been searching for since the start of the campaign. The second half was by far the most enjoyable 45 minutes the team has produced for us and that’s what it’s about!”