CUP-CRAZY Clitheroe had to close the gates on a capacity crowd before the biggest game in Shawbridge history.

But Mangotsfield United left the back door slightly ajar and the opening was just big enough for joint-boss Gary Butcher to burgle the extra-time glory goal that will see Clitheroe singing the Blues all the way down Wembley Way in May.

It sparked the sort of celebrations rarely seen on non-League territory as this second leg victory claimed a place in the FA Vase final.

Clitheroe's win was hardly achieved in champagne style, in fact they did it the hard way against a side who, performance-wise, completely turned the tables from the first leg.

But the bubbly was deservedly flowing because the general verdict was that, over the two demanding legs of this semi-final, the Blues deserved to make club history.

Fittingly, the man who grabbed the winner was one half of the dynamic duo - Denis Underwood being the other - which has inspired Clitheroe to such heady heights in this season's Vase.

His shot was deflected in by a defender but Butcher beamed: "Don't worry I'm claiming it. That's going down in the record books to me." Quite right too and, asked if his mind had been on the liklihood of a third game to divide the teams, he grinned: "No but my legs were!"

Veteran midfielder Butcher, one of few Clitheroe players not to give the ball away with such frustrating frequency, admitted he was suffering cramp in every part of his body, but somehow managed to produce one last run from his weary limbs.

And he hit the jackpot.

But there were others who also deserved the highest praise, as Clitheroe struggled against a side fortunate to beat them 1-0 in the first meeting, unlucky themselves here in a game that was superbly handled by an excellent referee.

Victory was Taylor-made for Clitheroe, in more ways than one.

Andrew Taylor headed a superb first goal, despite the presence of the giant Richard Thompson at the heart of the Mangotsfield defence.

He also played a crucial role in the second, setting up Butcher with a neat one-two that created a rare opening in the visitors' ranks.

There should also have been a huge vote of thanks to goalkeeper Carlo Nash who did as much as anyone, more than most, to take Clitheroe to Wembley.

Protected throughout the 90 minutes by a strong defence built around Neil Baron and Simon Westwell, he didn't have to make his first save of any real consequence until extra time. But when it mattered, the keeper excelled himself with two magnificent stops as the elusive Matthew Rawlings hit shots that looked like giving Mangotsfield the result they really deserved on Saturday.

Believe me, those saves were a watershed on the way to Wembley.

Clitheroe, however, had left the South West the previous week with a similar tale. Both teams lost the game they had dominated, but as Butcher said: "The thing about two-legged ties is that I believe the better team usually gets through."

Fair point. Besides, in a semi-final it's a case of never mind the quality, look at the result. With every corner of Shawbridge crammed with fans from all over East Lancashire, Clitheroe actually began quite brightly and had just the start they wanted after 13 minutes.

Denis Hill floated in a left-wing corner and Taylor rose majestically to send a downward header decisively into the bottom corner.

But then everything went flat, especially for the home team, and we had to wait until the 113th minute before the goal roar went up again.

Mangotsfield totally dominated possession but were kept at bay by a Clitheroe team who defended excellently, if too deeply as a team. The Blues themselves just couldn't keep possession.

Extra time became inevitable and, when Nash produced his heroics, the visitors seemed the only side capable of finding the inspiration for a decider.

But all that changed with seven minutes left. Butcher managed one final sprint forward, picked up a lovely return from Taylor who had a fine all-round game but, along with Clive Dunn, was too often left in isolation without support up front.

The cross-shot from Butcher was enough, especially when a defender helped it on, and Clitheroe were Wembley bound.

"We were bloody awful," said Denis Underwood with the biggest grin you'll ever see. "But who cares. We're going to Wembley and I felt we deserved it over the two games."

Who indeed cares. Clitheroe are heading for the greatest day out in the history of a grand little club. Last one to leave town on Sunday, May 12, please turn off the lights and don't forget to lock the door. Mangotsfield did to their cost.

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