Both teams entered the match in contrasting form. Clitheroe had won just one of their previous four games, despite a midweek victory at Wythenshawe, while visitors Congleton arrived full of confidence after going unbeaten in their last four.

Clitheroe started the game with an early chance that fell to Sam Olawumi after Josh Briggs whipped a cross towards the wing back who couldn’t quite reach it in the 13th minute.

Ben Woods had a wild attempt of his own for Clitheroe as he struck the ball first time from the edge of the area but it didn’t trouble Dave Parton as it flew over the bar in the 22nd minute.

Congleton responded with a good attempt from Max McCarthy in the 37th minute when the striker fired a venomous shot goalwards but Zac Hadi parried it clear.

McCarthy had an even better chance to score just two minutes later in the 39th minute after when he went one on one with Hadi but the towering goalkeeper made an excellent tackle to keep the score level.

Clitheroe had a golden opportunity to take the lead themselves just before the half when Briggs’ powerful shot was saved by Parton at his near post in the 45+1st minute.

Half Time: Clitheroe FC 2-0 Congleton Town

Sean McConvilles’s men eventually broke the deadlock in the 59th minute through a well-placed Woods free kick that was dipped over the wall and beyond the reach of Parton in the top right corner.

Things got worse for Congleton as they were then reduced to 10 men after Parton was sent off after a physical altercation with Olawumi in the 68th minute.

The home side capitalised on the man advantage and put the game to bed in the 90+5th minute when Sefton Gonzales got in behind the Congleton defence on the counter attack before tucking it home to make it 2-0.

Full Time: Clitheroe FC 2-0 Congleton Town

This result sees The Blues fly up the table into 13th place with just three points now separating them and the play offs. The league will have to wait however as Clitheroe have a week off now before making the trip down to Cheshire on October 15th to play Chester FC in the 2nd round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.