NEIL Reynolds was denied his first win in charge of Clitheroe thanks to another controversial decision given against the Blues.

Co-manager Peter Smith was absent from the dugout due to a family bereavement.

And the new managerial set-up were without several key players, after having just 36 hours to work with their new squad for the important league game.

That meant call-ups for a few local players.

And the patchwork side held their own for most of the match, which looked to be heading for a draw until the contentious sending off of striker James Dean, who had just recently returned from serving a suspension.

The referee's decision to show Dean a straight red card was apparently because the forward had kicked the ball at his opponent after Clitheroe were awarded a free kick, although the dismissal baffled the home support.

It was an even first half with few chances from either side and neither goalkeeper having much to do.

But Bridge took the lead just before the interval when Blues keeper Paul Horridge dropped a cross and the big striker Salmon bundled the ball over the line.

In the second half Clitheroe pressed for the equaliser and it came from the boot of substitute Daryl Avery whose 30-yard effort whizzed into the bottom corner.

Clitheroe were well on top by this stage, but the game changed dramatically with the red card for Dean.

Bridge began to look dangerous on the break and they regained the lead after a mistake by debutant Tom Benfield.

The defender underhit a pass back to the keeper and Salmon was on hand to take full advantage, drilling the ball under the keeper to give the visitors all three points.