CLITHEROE's title hopes suffered a blow with a goalless draw against lowly Atherton LR.

And they missed the chance to close the gap at the top after leaders Prescot Cables lost to Newcastle Town, while fellow contenders Mossley won.

The Blues probably have to win all their remaining games to steal the title, and Prescot must lose at least three of theirs.

Clitheroe put the visitors on the backfoot but couldn't turn their possession into goal threats.

Still missing striker Lee Cryer, the Blues seem to have run short of options and the service to skipper Neil Spencer and Gary Jackson was left wanting at times.

Atherton they battled well and frustrated the home team.

Jason Jones had a couple of chances saved, but overall the Blues were way below their best.

Atherton could have nicked all three points in the last 10 minutes when they rattled the Clitheroe bar, but as happy as the visitors were with the points, Clitheroe boss Lee Sculpher said: "We needed to win badly and tried too hard at times. Composure was needed, but too many players were short of it tonight."

On Saturday Clitheroe travel to Padiham in the second leg of the Worthington League Cup with a 4-1 advantage from the first leg.

CLITHEROE ...0

ATHERTON LR ...0