CONGLETON TOWN...2 CLITHEROE...3

CLITHEROE took another step towards the NWC League first division title as they bounced back to winning ways following two defeats.

Gary Jackson gave Clitheroe a two-goal cushion in the opening 15 minutes as the visitors took an early grip on the game.

On seven minutes his strength saw him beat Adam Reilley to fire home and on 15 minutes poor defending allowed him to double the advantage with a close range finish, but Congleton pulled a goal back on 22 minutes when Danny Worthington applied the finish in a goalmouth scramble.

The Blues cause wasn't helped when winger Chris Whittingham was sent off for his second booking of the game early in the second half.

Kris Richens made a phenomenal save from a point blank Mike Scully header before Worthington capitalised on a slip from Adam Gardner to draw the scores level.

Substitute Lee Cryer was the Clitheroe hero though as he came off the bench to score the vital winner on 75 minutes. A cross from Barrie Hart was controlled superbly by Cryer, who turned inside his marker to fire home.

Numerical advantage was evened up a minute later when the home sides Steve Baccino saw red for his second booking.