SEPTEMBER has been a sweet month for Lee Sculpher and Clitheroe.

Victory over St Helens at Shawbridge made it five wins out of five for new boss Sculpher and seven out of nine for Clitheroe, who have turned the corner dramatically after a poor start to the season.

Three points against St Helens were crucial to the Clitheroe revival as the visitors are almost certainly going to be in the title shake-up at the end of the season.

"Anyone who finishes above St Helens come May will be in with a great shout of winning the title," said Sculpher. "They are a good side and it was a real ding-dong battle but I think we deserved the win."

It says a lot that Clitheroe's man of the match was Andy Cowking.

He has been a revelation since being asked to fill in at the heart of the defence in the last few weeks and the former midfield man looks set for a long run in that position.

"He was head and shoulders above anyone on the park," said a delighted Sculpher.

Clitheroe took the lead after 15 minutes through Martin Aspinwall, his first goal of the season, after Neil Spencer's ball from the right flank was laid off by Mark Stewart.

After the break St Helens pressed but Clitheroe broke away through Carl Greenwood and Stewart, making his first start of the season, tapped in to double the advantage with 20 minutes to go. St Helens fought back and with five minutes of normal time remaining they pulled a goal back through Lee Dunn.

Five minutes of injury time were added and the visitors were camped in the Clitheroe half but Cowking and the defence held firm.

RESULT: CLITHEROE...2 ST HELENS...1