Clitheroe old boy Scott Harries proved to be the thorn in the Clitheroe side as he pulled out two world class strikes to deny Clitheroe the three points their performance deserved.

As early as the second minute, Clitheroe fans were left breathless as Max Hazeldine laid the ball to Jordyn Fitton, and his cross was glanced expertly towards the far corner of the goal by Jay Jeffries. The away fans were celebrating but stared in disbelief as the ball hit the inside of the far post and somehow stayed out. One minute later, a looping Josh Snowdon header hit the bar with the keeper beaten. Kicking down the hill, Clitheroe were in the ascendancy, and on 8 minutes, Fitton jinked on the left and drive a firm shot into the keeper’s midriff.

This was not one-way traffic though and Cameron Terry had to make a point-blank save the following minute. Indeed, it was the home side which took the lead on 14 minutes, as Terry’s punch from an inswinging corner did not have the requisite distance and Harries lashed the rebound into the top corner. The lead did not last long as after a long punt forwards on 21 minutes, Jeffries slipped Hazeldine through and he held off two defenders before slipping the ball into the net. Seven minutes later, Hyuga Tanner jinked and feinted on the left and his low driven cross somehow skidded across the box without a final touch being applied. However, it was Kendal who finished the half the stronger and Terry made a smart full length save as the clock ticked down.

The second half was more even, although Michael Wilson had the first chance of the half as he bent and volleyed a great Fitton cross, which forced a first class save from the home keeper. He went even closer on 70 minutes as his flicked header from a central free kick thudded against the bar. Four minutes later, Tanner slipped Hazeldine through, who held the ball on the edge of the box to release the overlapping Jacob Gregory, whose run and shot were well saved, before Gregory laid the rebound to Hazeldine to finish expertly.

Kendal were not finished, and Terry was forced to make a great back-pedalling tip over the bar on 85 minutes. As the clock ticked down, a deep cross from the Kendal right was controlled and juggled by Harries on the edge of the box before he sent a screamer beyond Terry’s reach.

The travelling fans watched in disbelief but applauded the team off the pitch for a solid display, knowing that tougher tests await in the coming months.

Team : Cameron Terry, Jay Jeffries (c) (Jacob Gregory), Jordyn Fitton, Michael Wilson, Josh Snowden, Oliver Muir, Hyuga Tanner, Michael Roddy (Andreas Bianga), Harry Blackburn (Harry Cannon-Noren), Lewis Sugden, Max Hazeldine. Subs - Andreas Bianga, Jacob Gregory, Harry Cannon-Noren. Not used - Jack Fleming, Harry Pratt.