Heading into this one, Clitheroe were looking to improve their recent poor form as they came up against a Congleton Town side that hadn’t won since January. However, on the day, the two sides couldn’t be separated as it finished 2-2.

The Blues almost took an early lead inside 4 minutes after a Sekouba Sanogo cross met the head of Luke Gill, but his glancing header flew just wide of the post.

Clitheroe’s early pressure paid off after just seven minutes, as Harry Scarborough fired the visitors ahead after a deflected Jake Carroll header fell kindly to him, leaving David Parton with no chance.

Their lead didn’t last long, though, as Congleton were awarded a penalty moments later when Noah Halford brought down Daniel Needham, allowing Peter Williams to convert from the spot in the ninth minute.

After the explosive opening to the half, not much else happened, with the only real chance falling to Max McCarthy, whose close range effort was blocked by an outstretched Carroll boot.

Half Time: Congleton Town 1-1 Clitheroe

Needham thought he had taken the lead for the home side at the start of the second half, but his lobbed finish over Zac Hadi was ruled out for being offside in the 48th minute.

Clitheroe retook the lead in the 65th minute when a Jordan Windass cross found captain Ross Dent at the back post, and he volleyed it home to make it 2-1.

The home side, now chasing the lead again, kept knocking on the door throughout the second half, including an outstanding driven header from Darren Chadwick that was saved by Hadi, who got down low.

Clitheroe thought they had done enough to secure the win. However, it wasn’t meant to be, as Dent was sent off for bringing down Needham in the area, resulting in another Congleton penalty that was once again dispatched by Williams.

Full Time: Congleton Town 2-2 Clitheroe

Although this result will be frustrating for the Blues, positive signs are showing as they managed to find the net, something manager Sean McConville has expressed unhappiness with in recent weeks. They will look to build on that improvement when they take on Mossley on Saturday 28th.