The result was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests as a Neil Spencer inspired Clitheroe got their midweek hammering at Mossley out of their system.

Clitheroe opened the scoring after 12 minutes, Steve McDonald burst clean through on goal and though Ian Pledger palmed his effort away Spencer duly applied the finish.

Spalding created little in the opening half, although goalkeeper Danny Woodhead was alert to a chance on 30 minutes when he blocked a Nick Reeson effort.

In the second half spalding got an equaliser in the opening seconds. A cross from the right was met by an unmarked Ian Dunn who shot past Woodhead.

Clitheroe were back in front on 50 minutes as Spencer again found the path to goal. A free-kick on the left was quickly taken by Barrie Hart and Spencer found space at the near post to shoot home.

Clitheroe had chances to add to their lead as they controlled the remainder of the game, but were unable to convert them. Spalding's misery was completed ten minutes from time when substitute Tom Gosling saw red for two bookable offences.