Kendal Town got their pre-season back on track thanks to a hard fought 2-1 win at home to Cleator Moor Celtic.

After their first pre-season defeat the previous week, Chris Humphrey's men bounced straight back to give them momentum going into next week's FA Cup preliminary round clash, their first competitive game since March.

In last weekend's game the Mintcakes found themselves a goal down at the break, but bounced back thanks to two second half goals.

The former Preston winger Humphrey put himself in from the start again, and was impressive throughout the game, bringing much needed experience to the Parkside Road men.

It was a chance for the boss to have a look at new faces, with Charlie Barnes and Liam Lightfoot, both signed on loan from League Two Carlisle United, both handed debuts, along with Matthew Livingstone.

In a cagey first half it was Cleator who were the better side, with one of their strikers finding the net to give them a half time lead.

It could have been more, but for summer signing Luke Camacho, who made a number of fine saves in the Kendal goal.

And the home side could have levelled things up just before the break, but Tomas Sanchez fire over following a delivery from Humphrey.

The Kendal player-boss was beginning to dictate the play for the home side, stringing passes together and keeping pressure on the Cleator back line with inviting crosses.

Midway through the second period and his class began to show, as Kendal got themselves back on level terms.

He made light work of the Cleator Moor full back, before crossing the ball into the area where Jack Rossi was waiting to pike the ball home.

Kendal had their tails up at this point and were keeping the visitors penned into their own third. Humphrey was again causing all the danger and it was his cross that led to Kendal's second, and what was ultimately the winning goal.

He again beat the full back and crossed for Emil Jasskelainen, who bundled the ball over the line, to complete what has been a fruitful pre-season campaign for the young striker.

In the last 15 minutes the home side could have increased, but the scores remained at 2-1.

It is a timely confidence booster for Humphrey's side, after the heavy and frustrating defeat the previous week.

A host of new signings have arrived through the door at Parkside Road, and the former Shrewsbury Town wide man looks to have assembled a side that will compete in the Northern Premier League North West Division.

The competitive action will officially return to Parkside Road on Saturday September 12, when the Mintcakes compete in the FA Cup preliminary round, before the start of the much anticipated new league season.

Kendal begin the campaign on the road at Prescot Cables.