CLITHEROE 0 NEWCASTLE 1

CLITHEROE's hopes of landing the NWCL First Division title are fading after they slumped to a third straight home league defeat at the hands of rivals Newcastle Town.

A goal in injury time from Adam Beesley settled a game of few chances -- the only consolation for Clitheroe an above average attendance of 243 in a town currently gripped by Vase fever.

Clitheroe could have few complaints although they were unlucky twice when Martin Aspinwall had two shots blocked.

The game looked destined to end goalless before the home side conceded a free kick on the edge of the box at the death which Beesley curled round the wall for a stunning winner. Clitheroe boss Dave Burgess is refusing to panic even though his one-time leaders are now seven points off the pace although they do have the advantage of games in hand on most of their rivals.

"We've got to keep a level head although three home defeats on the bounce is not good enough.

"That said we are still fifth at the halfway point and doing well in the Vase so we would have probably settle for this at the season's start. My job is to ensure -- or try to -- that everything else doesn't play second fiddle to the Vase" said Burgess.

Clitheroe have a home draw against Rushall Olympic, who won the replay on Saturday, in the last 16 of the Vase.