Heading into this one, Clitheroe were aiming to make amends for their capitulation against Shifnal last weekend after throwing away a two-goal lead. They faced an inform Bury side who sat sixth in the division.

The game had an explosive opening with both sides looking to grab an early lead and Bury would have scored in the fifth minute if it wasn’t for Cameron Lancaster denying a DJ Pedro effort on the line.

Clitheroe returned with a close chance of their own as Veron Parny’s curled attempt hit the underside of the crossbar before bouncing off the line in the 15th minute.

Another golden opportunity fell to the Blues shortly after when Harry Scarborough slipped in Luke Gill but Mitchell Allen got big to deny the striker in a one on one.

The game shifted momentum as Bury came close to scoring in the 21st minute when Callum Spooner’s shot was tipped onto the post by Zac Hadi at full stretch.

The first goal of the game eventually came on the stroke of halftime after Bobby Carroll was brought down by Hadi in the box for a penalty that was then converted by Rustams Stepans.

Half-Time: Bury 1-0 Clitheroe

Into the second half and Bury continued to control the game as they doubled their lead in the 58th minute through a wonderful Leo Graham strike from 30 yards.

A good chance for Clitheroe fell in the 76th minute when the ball fell to Parny on the volley but his shot went straight at Allen who saved it comfortably.

One last glimmer of hope came for the visitors in the 86th minute after DJ Pedro was shown a red card for a late challenge on Danny Wilkins but it was too late for the Blues to mount a comeback.

Full-Time: Bury 2-0 Clitheroe

Clitheroe aim to bounce back with a victory in the new year as they face Atherton Collieries at home on the 1st January.