Clitheroe 2 St Helens Town 0 TOWN were condemned to only their second defeat in 14 league outings as Clitheroe avenged their defeat at Hoghton Road 17 days earlier.

It capped a bad week for Jimmy McBride's men after they were thrashed out of the Liverpool Senior Cup in midweek by Prescot.

Town had taken the lead at Hope Street though Franny Hill before Prescot's big signing, Billy O'Callaghan, staged a one-man demolition job with four goals.

A late Kilshaw effort added to Town's woes.

So Saturday's trip to Clitheroe put their character to the test. And they responded well, leaving home supporters wondering how their side had managed to win.

Town had the teritorial advantage and had far more corners, but there was no end product as every loose ball fell kindly for Clitheroe defenders, while wayward long-range shooting also led to the St Helens downfall.

Laird had fired into the side netting and Bickerstaffe had forced a full-length save from Richens in a bright Town opening before Clitheroe's first attempt on goal - a looping 13th minute header from Worthington.

Seconds later Town's O'Neill teed up the supporting Bickerstaffe, who fired wide of the Bridge end goal. But as the game reached the 20-minute mark it was Clitheroe's turn top advance and Town 'keeper Adamson comfortably held Webster's free-kick before Jones got a vital defelction on a Taylor rasper.

Back came St Helens and a great Dooner pass sent Hill into acres of space up the right and only the clawing palm of 'keeper Richens prevented a Bickerstaffe tap-in. So it was a bitter pill to swallow when Clitheroe went ahead in the 34th minute when a total lack of concentration from a throw-in allowed Norman to plant the ball on Billy Worthington's head at the far post, where a towering climb gave him a simple nod in.

Town monopolised the sceopnd half, but ironically 'keeper Steve Adamson had more to do as Clitheroe countered on the break.

Town forced several early corners, with O'Neill's cross-shot going close. And, with Rishton and Hill having to clear from under their own crossbar, Clitheroe were stretched. But not once did Town have a clear sight of goal.

All rebounds and miscues seemed to fall at the feet of the hosts, who almost went two-up on the hour, but Adamson's great reflex save foiled Worthington.

The Town 'keeper then had to cut out a couple of dangerous crosses, but with 10 minutes left the game was put beyond St Helens' reach.

Williams was hasrhly adjudged to have deliberately handled and although the wall did its job from Hill's free-kick, it fell nicley for Worthington to slot home a typical poacher's goal.

Seconds later Twon had valid claims for a penalty turned down when Sculpher, with his back to the referee, handled to prevent Pennington going clear.

This Saturday Town entertain Bootle (3pm).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.