CLITHEROE 1 ROSSENDALE 2

DENIS Hill and Darren Norman both scored against their former clubs but it was Steve Bird who had the last laugh as Clitheroe slipped to only their fifth NWCL Division One defeat of the season.

Norman gave Rossendale a 38th minute advantage before Hill thought he had earned the home side a point with a half volley from the edge of the box five minutes from time.

But Rossendale were determined to pull off one of the season's shocks and a Bird header two minutes later proved decisive.

Clitheroe boss Dave Burgess realises his side missed out on an opportunity to go within a point of leaders St Helens, but he refused to be despondent.

"We thought we'd got a draw and that's probably all we deserved, but it wasn't to be. Poor defending cost us on both goals and it was disappointing that we couldn't hang on in there after Denis had pulled the game level."

Clitheroe now stand third, four points behind the leaders who also have the advantage of a game in hand.

Meanwhile Rossendale are 11th in the table -- 12 points behind the Blues but have five games in hand following an FA Vase run.

And Jim McCluskie will be glad to once more to enjoy that winning feeling.

After a 16-match unbeaten run, the manager of the month award proved a curse as Rossendale suffered three defeats in their last four games -- against another local rival Ramsbottom in the league, Brigg Town in the FA Vase and then Conference side Leigh in the Marsden Trophy.

"We are delighted with the win although I felt we made hard work of it," said McCluskie.

"That was a bit disappointing but other than that, I have got to be pleased.

"It was one hell of an equaliser and that could have rocked us but we stood strong and got Steve Bird got the winner.

"We've got a tough run coming up but we can catch Clitheroe if we win our games in hand."

Blues boss Burgess added: "By our recent standards the performance was below-par but you have got to keep a sense of perspective and if you'd have said at the start that our first defeat wouldn't come till the middle January, I'd have taken it."

One plus for Clitheroe was an above-average attendance of over 300.

Clitheroe are back in action on Tuesday with a Worthington Challenge Trophy tie at Ramsbottom.