CLITHEROE put one foot into the final of the Worthington Challenge Trophy with a 4-1 first leg win against local rivals Padiham.

The visiting team set their stall out from the first whistle, playing five at the back and just one striker, and with no threat from the visitors to worry about, Clitheroe dominated the opening 45 minutes.

Padiham's only attempt on goal in the first half came from an eighth-minute direct free kick from Carl Parker which went straight into the arms of Clitheroe keeper Kris Richins.

Clitheroe had plenty of the ball in the early stages and Chris Whittingham nearly opened the scoring with a volley from eight yards, but Padiham keeper Kirk Marsden somehow turned it over for a corner.

Andy Cowking had a shot cleared off the line by Padiham defender Darren Fullard five minutes later and on 25 minutes the deadlock was broken.

Keeper Marsden missed the cross and Clitheroe skipper Neil Spencer outjumped everyone to head in from six yards out.

Padiham stayed in their shell and it was no surprise when Spencer added his and the team's second on 37 minutes with a close-range shot.

The visitors improved after the break, but couldn't stop Spencer completing his hat trick on 51 minutes with a great finish from just inside the box. And, just three minutes later, a slick four-man move was finished in style by midfielder Jason Jones to put Clitheroe well on the way to the final.

Padiham were now being stretched all over the place and to make things worse, midfielder Carl Parker was sent off for two cautionable offences.

This seemed to inspire Padiham and they began to come out and play decent football and pulled a goal back on the hour through ex-Clitheroe striker Ian Pilkington.

They were the better of the two teams in the final half hour, but couldn't add to their tally. Fullard, Scott Gizon, Dean Stowe and Thompson were all guilty of missing chances to reduce the deficit.

Clitheroe's extra man didn't help them and they will feel they missed the opportunity to add to their four goals.

It should be enough, but if Padiham can take their form of the last half hour to the home leg in two weeks time and net an early goal, it may just be an uncomfortable afternoon for the NWCL First Division team from Clitheroe.

The second leg is on Saturday, March 8 at Padiham.

The winners will play either Mossley or Newcastle Town in the final at Gigg Lane, Bury. Mossley lead Newcastle 4-1 after the first leg.

Tomorrow Clitheroe are back on league duty at Salford City, kick off 7.45pm.

CLITHEROE...4 PADIHAM...1