After a string of unlucky results with good performances, Clitheroe were rewarded with fantastic display at Shawbridge against a very good Hyde United side.

Right from the whistle Hyde pressed and pressed against Clitheroe but the defence stayed strong with Stephen Rigby and Jacob Gregory giving the tricky wingers of Hyde no space to manoeuvre.

As the half went on it seemed Hyde would have to take one of their chances eventually but it didn’t look to be their day when Karl Jones came inches away from am opener with am effort from range.

Then on the half hour mark when Clitheroe won a free kick in a dangerous area there was only one man for it; step up Kurt Willoughby.

Willoughby sent the free kick flying hard in to the top corner giving Hyde goalkeeper Peter Crook absolutely no chance putting Clitheroe 1-0 up.

As the half drew to a close it was still Hyde doing the pressing with several free kicks but the brick wall at the back for Clitheroe just could not be broke.

Team : Chris Thompson, Jacob Gregory, Stephen Rigby, Ryan Ellison, Ian Rowlands (c), Charlie Russell, Joe Mitchell, Ross Dent (Brad Knox), Kurt Willoughby, Alex Newby, George West (Danny Byrnes). Subs - Danny Byrnes, Brad Knox. Not used - Leighton Egan, Robbie Bromley, Tom Smyth

The second half was met with more danger from Hyde forcing a few saves out of Chris Thompson but the Blues ‘keeper had easy work with them all.

It was one of them where Hyde felt everything was against them and when the visitors were certain they had a penalty, you can imagine the confusion and despair when referee Ian Johnston tells them it’s a free kick.

It only got worse for the visitors when Kurt Willoughby latched on to an Alex Newby through ball and struck a fearsome shot past Crook to double the lead.

It was a needed goal for Clitheroe which deflated the visitors and kept the Tigers going home hungry in what was a valiant display from the Blues who put 100% in all game.