Avenue's wretched start to the new year continued as two second-half strikes gave the Cheshire club a victory and left Avenue with a five-match losing streak.

The Bradford side remain fourth from bottom of the UniBond Premier Division but are in no doubt as to how much they need a string of results.

Some positives came out of the game, though fortune is steadfastly refusing to smile on Avenue.

"There was not a lot in the game, although our build-up play was better than the home side's," said assistant manager Ian Thompson, who was in charge with boss Trevor Storton away.

"It was disappointing, but once again the support was there for the side. It is fantastic to see a good following behind the goal at away games., It's just so frustrating to let them down.

"The defence played ever so well but we are finding ourselves under pressure because we are not defending from the front. We are not sticking our chances away either which makes it hard to win games.

"At 0-0, we had some good chances and 12 months ago they were going in. Not any more but we haven't become a bad side overnight and we will get it right. The side I put out on Saturday had enough quality to beat Stalybridge.

"Their coach shook my hand after the game and said 'When I look at your team-sheet it's frightening but today you were toothless', and I have to agree with that. I had a pop at our lads after the game because I thought too many of them were lethargic."

Following the departure of club captain Wayne Benn in midweek, former Newcastle United man Carl Serrant led the team. Neil Grayson, signed in midweek, marked his return to the club with a solid display.

Former Horsfall favourite Grayson slotted into the midfield role vacated by Benn and looked assured, though he did have a testing first half as he took time to settle, leaving the ever-reliable Andy Quinn to claim the man-of-the-match accolade for Bradford.

Avenue were facing their former keeper Craig Dootson, and the Stalybridge shot-stopper made a good early contribution to deny Jason Maxwell.

Celtic turned up the heat and Nathan Wharton and Kenny Myers fired just over from the edge of the area on separate occasions. Avenue keeper Matt Boswell made his first real save in the 18th minute when he spread himself to foil Chris Denham.

Dootson punched a Serrant corner clear with Maxwell and Andy Hayward lurking, and Hayward shot wide after being put clear by Grayson.

Celtic were also pressing and Phil Eastwood shot off-target before a fierce drive from Wharton took a deflection and zipped over.

Hayward should have given Avenue the lead early in the second half but Dootson stood tall. Five minutes later, Celtic were in front. Boswell mishandled a free kick and the ball fell for Gregg Pearce, who rifled home.

Avenue were undone by a second Celtic goal 14 minutes from time. Hayward, who had dropped back into midfield when Steve Oleksewycz replaced Andy Wright, gifted the ball to the home side on the halfway line and a through-ball found Denham, who blasted the ball into the net.