The management team made eight changes to the starting line-up from the FC United game. The first half was a scrappy affair with few opportunities for either side. Blues best efforts came a long range shot from Brent Wood-Townend and from Charlie Collinge who shot wide after the home team failed to clear a corner.

Squires Gate took the lead on 41 minutes when a defensive lapse let their lively No.9 through to easily put the ball past Matt Green. Right on half time Liam Hutchinson shot from an angle which beat the keeper, but was cleared off the line by a Squires Gate defender.

Half time - Squires Gate 1 Clitheroe 0

Blues made several changes at half time, but the second half was only a few minutes old when disaster struck. Matt Green sliced an attempted clearance and it went back over over his head and left a Squires Gate forward with a simple finish to make it 2-0.

Cue more substitutions for the Blues and there was an immediate response, with Danny Wilkins having a couple of good efforts forcing the home keeper to make good saves. On 67 minutes Callum Hoctor sent a diving header just over the bar.

An ankle injury to Ross Dent on 76 minutes led to him being carried off, hopefully it's not serious?

A goal for the Blues finally arrived on 83 minutes, when Richard Burns broke clear of the Squires Gate defence and he squared perfectly for Dom Mulkerrin to finish comfortably. With just a couple of minutes remaining, James Walker sent a rasping shot just over.

That was our last opportunity as the home team held on for a 2-1 victory.

Clitheroe line-up - Matt Green, Charlie Collinge, Brent Wood-Townend, Danny Brady, Steve Mercer, Scott Byrom, Bryn Potter, Danny Wilkins, Liam Hutchinson, Dom Mulkerrin, Liam Hoyle.

2nd half subs - Mike Aspin, James Walker, Callum Hoctor, Ross Dent, Richard Burns & Alex Pallfy