A PENALTY from the returning Jason Jones ten minutes from time gave Clitheroe a deserved share of the points against physical opposition.

With a referee happy to book players for trivial offences, while letting many late Willenhall tackles go unpunished, Clitheroe kept their cool and an entertaining encounter served up a fair result.

Willenhall had the best of the early chances, Gary Hay rounded goalkeeper Kris Richens but couldn't hit the target and John Quilt saw his shot come back off the bar.

Having weathered the early storm Clitheroe came back into the game. Steve McDonald found space behind the visiting defence and although he lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper it fell wide of the far post.

Paul Stansfield saw his shot on 30 minutes parried by the goalkeeper and then Jones's follow up shot was almost prodded home by Gavin Cooper.

Willenhall took the lead on 64 minutes when Mark Creighton headed home at the far post. The visitors then looked to run down the clock with several infuriating time wasting tactics.

Clitheroe were boosted on 70 minutes when Richard Field saw red for two bookings.

Ten minutes later, Gary Jackson's run across the penalty area saw the goalkeeper clip his feet and a penalty was awarded. Jones struck it to the goalkeeper's right and, although he got a hand to it, couldn't keep it out.

Either team could have won the game but both will probably be happy with a point in the circumstances.