A GOAL four minutes from time ended Clitheroe's hopes of a Marsden Trophy semi-final slot against Accrington Stanley.

It seemed Mark Stewart got the final touch on a cross and the ball looped over keeper Kris Richens.

It was a cruel end for Lee Sculper's NWCL first division side as they had held the UniBond first division outfit for 70 minutes with only 10 men, as midfielder Jason Jones was justly red-carded for retaliating after a tackle from behind.

It meant stitches in a head wound for the Kendal player.

Richens made some top class saves to keep Kendal at Bay and the defence as a whole was impressive.

But the sending off changed the game and for long periods the visitors had to concede possession to the home team.

Sculpher's men looked dangerous on the break, though, with Gary Jackson and skipper Neil Spencer causing the Kendal defence problems.

KENDAL TOWN...1 CLITHEROE...0