Unusually for games between these two teams, this encounter never really sprang into life, and whilst Clitheroe looked to be strolling off with the three points, two lapses were enough for the home team to take a share of the spoils.

Darren Thornton, a recent signing from Radcliffe came in at left back, Danny Morton partnered Will James in the centre of defence and George Conway made his first start up front. As early as the fourth minute, Conway worked his way down the left wing before pulling the ball back for Dean to prod the ball home, a true poacher’s goal. Prescot had a scuffed shot after 11 minutes which tested the keeper, and almost made the most of Wedge losing the ball one minute later leading to a charge down the left flank but with no end product. Danny Wilkins had a great bulldozing run on 15 minutes, but Dean could only scoop the final ball over the bar. With half an hour gone, Clitheroe had two very central free kicks but could not capitalise on them, although Griffiths went close, albeit he was shown an offside flag for his efforts. On 35 minutes, the best move of the game saw Wedge shuttle down the right wing and launch a great cross for Dean to stab home. The half could have delivered even more when on 42 minutes Thornton hammered a great free kick and a deflection almost saw it nick inside the post.

Prescot rang the changes at half time and introduced ex Blue, Isaac Kusaloka and this heralded Prescot having more of the game, with Danny Morton a colossus in defence. On 47 minutes, Prescot’s Chester loanee Jamie Menagh, ran 50 yards but his final cross simply caused a goalmouth scramble, but no goal. Goal chances were at a premium, and it was not until the 70th minute that a long Prescot ball was controlled on the run by a Prescot striker, who forced Ollerenshaw into a great save with his legs. Five minutes later, Wilkins burst through and fed Dean, but he scuffed his shot wide. Two minutes later, Miller unlocked the defence and flicked the ball agonisingly wide. However, on 79 minutes it was Prescot who clawed their way back into the game. A deep corner was struck smartly on the half volley into the net, without a Clitheroe player touching it. Things got worse three minutes later, when a swerving shot from distance wrong footed Ollerenshaw, who still managed to thrust an arm out but could only parry the ball to the feet of Kusaloka, who made no mistake from close range. The game petered out thereafter, although a rasping 25 yard drive from Prescot could have put the icing on the cake for the home team.

There were few stand out performances for the Blues, although Dean’s goals were matched by a great debut from Thornton at left back and by makeshift centre back, Morton, who really caught the eye of the home fans as being the biggest thorn in their side.

Team; Josh Ollerenshaw, Keith Wedge, Darren Thornton, Will James, Danny Morton, Andy Griffiths, Sean Miller, Danny Wilkins, Lloyd Dean, George Conway, James Walker Subs Danny Smith, Scott Bakkor, Scott Byrom, Ross Dent, Simon Garner