After the storm, a return to normality as Clitheroe finally took to the pitch in a competitive game and secured the three points with more ease than the scoreline suggests.

With a heavy pitch underfoot and more rain forecast, it was clear that this would be as much a rest of stamina as well as skill.

The home team could barely have had a worse start when on 6 minutes, the Brighouse right back Normanton, found himself in acres of space as he raced down the right. Whether his final delivery was a chip or a mishit shot was immaterial as the visitors took the lead.

The Blues then had a flurry of chances within the next minute to restore parity, but none could penetrate a forest of legs. When the equaliser came it was through the unlikely route of Joe Mitchell. Close to the bye line on the right he struck the ball towards goal and it floated tantalisingly over the back pedalling keeper.

The home side was now on a roll and on 29 minutes, Dimitri Tuanzebe released the ball from the right to Ross Dent who in turn laid it off to Jack Egan to sweep in his debut goal.

Things got better on 38 minutes when an Egan cross was controlled and thumped home in one movement by Kurt Willoughby.

The second half saw a lot of pressure on the Brighouse goal, but with few clear cut chances. Chris Thompson made a smart near post save on 51 minutes, but that was a rare goal threat from the visitors.

Willoughby found himself one on one with the keeper on 55 minutes, but his first shot was well saved and he could not make the rebound count. On 66 minutes, a lofted ball over the defence saw Willoughby free and as he rounded the keeper he overhit the ball and just failed to catch the ball in time to hit it goalwards.

Tuanzebe had a chance on 82 minutes after being played through by George Hughes, but the keeper saved well. As the clock ticked down, Brighouse pulled a goal back in injury time as a cross from the right was flicked on and a stooping header beat Thompson, but it was too little too late.

The games come thick and fast now, and another winning run could make things very interesting.

Team : Chris Thompson, Caldon Henson (Jacob Gregory), Stephen Rigby, Ian Rowlands, Danny Brady (c), Ross Dent (Brad Carroll), Joe Mitchell, George Hughes, Kurt Willoughby (George West), Jack Egan, Dimitri Tuanzebe. Subs - Brad Carroll, George West, Jacob Gregory. Not used - Jamie Hodgson.