CLITHEROE'S NWCL Division One season ended on a sour note with a comprehensive defeat at Warrington last night.

But player-manager Lee Sculpher was far from happy with the displays of the match officials who twice denied his side clear-cut penalties.

"We got nothing - in every respect, " said an angry Sculpher.

"We were beaten by a better side, but that was only part of it.

"Our forwards got no protection whatsoever and how the officials failed to give us at least two penalties baffled me."

Clitheroe, under strength through a host of injury problems, were chasing the game from the sixth minute when Chris Moores gave the home side the lead.

But it was fairly even until two further goals in the final quarter-of-an-hour from Mike Heveron and Clive Locke sealed the points for Warrington.

It might well have been different had spot kicks been awarded first when Richard Fogarty was chopped down from behind and then when Chris Heslop was clearly pulled back by his shirt in the box.

Clitheroe have finished in fifth spot in the First Division, having won half of their 44 league matches, losing just 12.

They had hoped to be up there challenging for honours as they were last season - they finished second last time out - but a poor start always made it an uphill battle for the Blues.

They did, however, have their usual good Vase run, losing to Whitley Bay in the quarter-final in late February at Shawbridge.

"It has been a good campaign and the lads deserve a lot of credit.

"But to close it with back-to-back defeats is disappointing, " added Sculpher, whose side lost to Salford on Monday.

WARRINGTON...3 CLITHEROE...0