Points shared in thriller

With Steve Mercer serving one game suspension, Danny Brady replaced him at centre half and Seydou Bamba returned at left back, for his first League start. New signings Zach Clark and Jimmy Heywood were on the bench.

Blues dominated the early stages and took the lead on 8 minutes, when Liam Hutchinson hit a superb shot which gave former Blues keeper Peter Collinge no chance.

Blues doubled their lead on 36 minutes when David Lynch started and finished an excellent passing move with Danny Morton.
New Mills got back into the game on 42 minutes when Carl Fitton’s free kick eluded everybody in the box and went into the bottom corner of the net.

Half time - Clitheroe 2 New Mills 1

New Mills levelled the game on 52 minutes when the Blues defence failed to clear and Daniel Douglas-Pringle scored from close range.

On 65 minutes Clark and Heywood came on replacing Richard Burns and Mike Aspin. Clark looked lively on his return to Shawbridge and almost won the game with a cheeky back heel which came back off the post on 77 minutes.

Both teams pressed for a winner in the later stages, but the defences held firm and both deserved to share the points.

Team: Matt Green, Mike Aspin (Jimmy Heywood 65), Seydou Bamba, Adam Freeland, Danny Brady, David Lynch, Richard Burns (Zach Clark 65), Danny Wilkins, Sefton Gonzales, Danny Morton, Liam Hutchinson (Peter Dunkerley 78). Subs not used - Ryan Cattermole & Alex Palffy.

Attendance 272