LEAGUE leaders North Ferriby went home empty handed as the Blues recorded a superb victory.

Clitheroe once again adopted their lone striker policy and the hard working Neil Spencer got deserved reward as he scored the crucial winning goal.

The visitors had gone in front early through their leading scorer Gary Bradshaw. A free kick on the left was rolled to Bradshaw on the edge of the box, and although Danny Woodhead got both hands to the well struck shot, he could only parry it into the net.

North Ferriby could have doubled their advantage moments later but Chris Nestor was alert to head the chance off the line.

Clitheroe's best first-half chance fell to Steve McDonald, but his volley from just six yards out was superbly tipped over by the goalkeeper.

Clitheroe started the second half positively but, despite plenty of possession, were struggling to break North Ferriby down.

Eventually, fortune favoured the Blues with their equalising goal. Neil Reynolds' attempted cross bobbled off his foot but fell kindly to Adam Gardner out wide and his first time cross was finished by Paul Stansfield on 75 minutes.

Both teams then searched for a winner and luck was once again on Clitheroe's side as Spencer pounced.

There's no doubt that he was aiming to cross the ball to McDonald but the cross flew off the outside of his foot and beat the goalkeeper at the near post for a well deserved victory which re-ignites thoughts of a push for a play-off position in the second half of the season.