TWO defensive errors ended Clitheroe's FA Vase hopes for another season as Newcastle rode their luck to book a place in the fourth round.

But for Clitheroe boss Steve Parry, the biggest concern will be his front line, who continue to fire blanks as the team dominate their opposition.

The same was true in this game, as the Blues blasted the home side with wave after wave of pressure, only to see chances go begging as the forwards failed to find the net.

The only bright spark in the Newcastle half was debutant Neil Spencer. The striker looked keen and sharp in his first game for his new club, and it was he who provided Clitheroe with a deserved opener.

Bursting into the box, Spencer was brought down by the goalkeeper, allowing Barry Hart to score from the spot.

However, the visitors came to rue their missed opportunities as a lapse in concentration at the back let in Town's Dean Richardson, who sidefooted past the advancing Chris Richens for the equaliser.

The second half followed the same pattern as the home side were forced to defend for long periods of the game. Hart and Spencer were among the Clitheroe players guilty of spurning good chances.

The pressure was never made to tell and sure enough Newcastle snatched a winner.

Richardson again capitalised on some loose defending to produce a carbon copy of his first goal with just seven minutes left on the clock.

Richardson's double strike ended Clitheroe's Wembley dream for another year, but Parry's side can now focus all their attention on catching a distracted Town side in the league.

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