Clitheroe secured another hard-fought late win away at Mossley in a feisty match that saw the hosts reduced to nine men before Freddie Machell struck late to settle the game.

Clitheroe started stronger out of the two sides, with Nathan Sandison winning an early free kick 20 yards out after driving forward, which led to a corner. Clitheroe then had their first real opening, Demi Rhami played in down the left by Harry Scarborough before cutting back onto his right foot, though his effort went narrowly wide of the post.

From here, the game began to heat up and gain a bit more intensity from both teams, but not just in the football they were playing. Brad Ditch was booked for a foul on the halfway line, before a late challenge on Sandison drew huge appeals for a red card from the Clitheroe side, though the referee only produced a yellow for Bailey Marsden. Just minutes later, the first real incident of the game occurred, with a late tackle by Max Harrison on Marsden resulted in a yellow card for the Blues defender. However, in reaction to that, Marsden put his forearm to the throat of Harrison, and the Mossley number 8 was shown a second yellow card and sent off.

Half Time: Mossley AFC 0-0 Clitheroe FC

Clitheroe were the stronger side throughout the second half, managing the better of the chances, though nothing came particularly close to breaking the deadlock. Jason Gilchrist had Clitheroe's first chance of the second half, meeting a great cross into the middle of the box from Danny Wilkins with his head, only for the goalkeeper to just tip it over the bar.

The game then became even more heated, as the home side were shown another red card, following a very late and high challenge on Rio Alston, with Mason Fawns sliding in recklessly near the touchline and his studs catching Alston near the knee. The referee reached for her back pocket and reduced Mossley to nine men.

Jordan Windass won a free kick on the edge of the box in a very promising position after cutting inside before driving towards goal, and it proved to be the moment that would give Clitheroe their winner. Sean Newton stood over the free kick and wrapped into around the wall, it was spilled out by the goalkeeper and the ball bounced kindly to Freddie Machell around 12 yards out as he smashed it home through the goalkeeper's legs to put Clitheroe in front with only minutes to go.

A victory for Clitheroe against eventually nine men, with Machell's late strike proving to be the difference in a physical and bad-tempered game in Mossley.

Full Time: Mossley AFC 0-1 Clitheroe FC