Clitheroe’s dismal record in the FA Cup continued as they went out of the competition in a dour encounter to the home side’s only shot on target of note. With Danny Wilkins suspended and Richie Baker cup tied, the joint managers shuffled the pack but this was a side which should still have won this game to make a rare foray into the second qualifying round.

It could have been so different if chances had been taken in the first half. With Sefton Gonzales leading the line, he was the first to show as he headed a deep cross against the bar, with Ross Dent just failing to pick up the pieces.

The woodwork came to the home side’s rescue again on 21 minutes when a deep cross field ball from the excellent Jamie Edwards was met on the full by Gonzales, and the ball cannoned against the post. The surface was making totally fluent play difficult, although Clitheroe were playing too narrow to exploit fully the width of the pitch.

Seven minutes into the second half, Clitheroe had their third gilt-edged chance as a Chris Thompson free kick was flicked on and young central defender Harrison Burke found himself free behind the defence and spoilt for choice as to how to convert the high bouncing ball. He chose to try and steer the ball home and it skimmed over the bar.

Shortly after, the home team had their only real attack of note, and with Gary Stopforth seeming to be bundled off the ball on the right wing, a quick interchange saw the Blues flat footed as a surge to the bye line and a converted low cross by Freddie Potter putting the home side ahead.

The Blues rang the changes but the whole game was still bizarrely lethargic. Substitute Joel Mills had a number of useful attacks, Burke’s header was cleared off the line and with five minutes to go a shot was hooked just wide of the post after a melee in the home box.

When the whistle blew, the Blues went to salute their 60 travelling supporters, but they knew this was one game which had got away from them. The Blues do, however, have a chance to make instant amends in the league when they go back to Merseyside to face the same opposition with three points at stake on Tuesday night.

Team : Chris Thompson, Jamie Edwards, Cole Lonsdale (Jack Burrows), Gary Stopforth, Harrison Burke, Billy Priestley, Conor Gaul (Joel Mills), Ross Dent, Sefton Gonzales (c), Alex Turner, Taylor Brickell. Subs - Joel Mills, Jack Burrows. Not used - Jake Connelly, Ricardo Pembele, Matthew Hodds.