CLITHEROE stand 16 points behind league leaders Prescot Cables with five games in hand as the NWCL Division One title race hots up.
They started well on Saturday and caused St Helens problems with midfielders Jason Jones and Andy Cowking pulling the strings, and strikers Gary Jackson and Neil Spencer looking lively.
Nevertheless, it took 41 minutes for the opening goal to arrive.
Spencer was fouled on the right and Paddy Lauber swung in the free kick with his left foot. It beat everyone in the box to nestle in the corner of the net.
St Helens equalised on the stroke of half-time when Clitheroe keeper Kris Richens upended Dave Dugdale inside the box. Dugdale recovered to slot home the spot kick.
Clitheroe's winner came midway through the second half when Jones found enough space to cross from the right and Jackson met the cross to thump the ball into the net.
St Helens tried to equalise but Richens made two top class saves to keep the Blues' lead intact.
Injuries to Chris Whittingham (hamstring) and Gary Rishton (ankle) marred another excellent performance by Clitheroe.
They have yet to travel to St Helens, just one of a dozen tough games still to go.
CLITHEROE ...2 ST HELENS ...1
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