CLITHEROE got back to winning ways at last as they rolled over Kidsgrove to give manager Steve Parry plenty of early festive cheer.

Two goals for debutant striker Steve Denny gave Clitheroe the points in this First North Western Trains League Division One clash, the former Cheadle Town forward opened the scoring midway through the first half and wrapped up the points on the hour.

Clitheroe were the better team right from the outset and took the game to their opponents with some powerful attacking play. Denny looked sharp up front and was clearly worrying the home defence.

It took just 20 minutes for the striker to make his mark, firing in a blistering shot from 25 yards. Denny, who left the Blues in 1996, was clearly happy to be back, as he thumped in the opener.

Ten minutes later Clitheroe doubled their advantage, Neil Spencer heading in a Dennis Hill cross. The winger's driving run eventually took him to the edge of the Kidsgrove area and his chipped cross was deftly met by Spencer to extend the lead.

Three minutes from the break the home side pulled one back, Richie Batho turning the ball home after a goalmouth scramble, but in the second half, Clitheroe continued undeterred.

Their attack lost none of its cutting edge and on 60 minutes, Hill again crossed from the left, this time for unmarked Denny to round off his debut with a tap-in.

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