CLITHEROE came close to shocking their Nationwide Conference opponents, who were made to battle all the way for their eventual victory.

Glyn Barker had already gone close for Clitheroe before they opened the scoring on 15 minutes. Winger Stuart Parkinson found space on the left and Lee Cryer headed his perfect cross home.

Morecambe started the second half in a more confident manner and equalised through Terry McFlynn on 52 minutes with a well struck shot.

Ryan Sugden then provided a killer blow on the counter attack as he rounded Kris Richens to give the Conference high-flyers the lead.

Chris Whittingham and Cryer both came close to equalising for Clitheroe before a defensive mix-up proved costly when Richens and manager Lee Sculpher both left the ball to each other and Danny Carlton nipped in between them both to fire into the empty net.

Steve McDonald beat the Morecambe keeper to a long ball on 80 minutes to reduce the arrears but the Blues were unable to find the necessary third goal to take the game into extra time.

CLITHEROE...2

MORECAMBE...3