AFTER the feast - the famine. Just days after clocking up their best NWCL win of the season and scoring SEVEN in the process, Clitheroe fired blanks last night.

But credit must go to the brave defending and resistance of visiting Ramsbottom and their inspired goalkeeper Paul Horridge.

In a tight contest of few chances, Ramsbottom were unlucky to hit a post in the first half, but they were indebted to the agility and bravery of Horridge after the break.

His best effort came 15 minutes from time when he dived away to his left to save with one hand after Chris Whittingham had sprung the offside trap to give himself a one-on-one scoring chance.

Clitheroe's Neil Spencer thought he had found a way past Horridge in the final minutes but. After chipping the keeper, he was thwarted by a desperate goal-line clearance.

"A case of after the Lord Mayor's show for our lads," groaned Clitheroe player-manager Lee Sculpher. "But there weren't many chances and their keeper did ever so well.

"Ramsbottom came and made life tough, defending with great spirit and it would be difficult to deny them a right to a point. We were not at our best but at least we didn't lose and a point is a point."

Clitheroe...0 Ramsbottom...0