SIMON Garner's final home game in charge of Clitheroe ended in defeat as the Blues Evo-Stik League Division One North play-off hopes were extinguished in a 2-0 loss to Burscough.

Goals in each half from Elliott Newby and Liam Caddick were enough to earn the visitors the points and secure their place in the play-offs in the process.

It was a sixth straight loss for Clitheroe - a run that began with a 6-0 humbling by Burscough at the end of March and one that has cost them any chance of promotion.

Both sides began cautiously at Shawbridge on Saturday before William Jones volleyed wide for the visitors and David Lynch came close for the hosts.

The visitors went in front on 18 minutes when Newby cut inside from the right and whipped a shot into the far corner.

Clitheroe had a golden chance to equalise just after the half hour when Sefton Gonzales was brought down in the box by Burscough goalkeeper Calvin Hare.

Louis Mayers took the spot kick only to see Hare redeem himself with a fine save.

Clitheroe displayed plenty of fighting spirit after the break with Mayers coming close with a header before Gonzales was denied by Hare.

But it was the visitors who got the all important second goal of the game when Caddick slotted home from eight yards to settle the outcome.

In the Premier Division, already relegated Ramsbottom United were beaten 3-0 away at Marine.