CLITHEROE will be hoping to repeat their Shawbridge heroics when they face the most daunting trip in the Evo-Stik First Division North tomorrow.

Simon Garner’s side face a Northwich Victoria outfit who have won 16 of their 17 league games this season, as well as embarking on an impressive run to the FA Cup second round, where they were within five minutes of dumping out League Two leaders Northampton Town.

But the Vics’ only league setback this season came at Shawbridge Street in September when Garner’s men won 2-0.

And while he knows doing the double is going to be a huge task, his squad can take confidence from their humbling of Northwich nearly three months ago.

“It’s going to be a tough task but we go into the game with belief we can do it because of that experience, but we realise how tough it will be,” said the Blues boss.

“From one to 11 we were at it from minute one to 90, we were consistent for 90 minutes.

“On any given day we’ve got more than enough quality to beat any team but it’s about producing it consistently and that is what makes you champions or gets you promoted.

“Hopefully over the season we can push ourselves to get in those spots but it’s a tough ask to do it on a consistent basis.”

Clitheroe have slipped out of the play-off places after heavy defeats to Farsley Town (5-2) and Ossett Albion (6-1).

But those reverses came on the back of successive wins of Droylsden (6-1) and Prescot Cables (6-0), which highlights how the Blues have struggled to string consistent results together.

“We’ve had some really heavy defeats but some great wins as well,” he said. “It’s frustrating from my point of view that you beat a team like Northwich and then go and lose to lesser teams.

“But I’d have taken the position we’re in now if I was offered it at the start of the season and hopefully we can now kick on and build on it.

“We’ve had more or less the same squad of players, there’s not been many changes, so everyone knows their job and their roles.

“We’re going to lose games, there’s no doubt about it, but it’s the manner in which we get beat and the way we can win games as well, if we can reach those heights we will get results.”

Clitheroe were beaten in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy quarter-finals at Chorley last week, but Garner was delighted with the way his side performed at Victory Park.

“That was up there with the type of performance we had against Northwich,” he said. “We were very good, it was one of the best performances we’ve had but it was unfortunate we couldn’t take our chances and we got punished.”

In the Evo-Stik Premier Division, Ramsbottom face a crucial home clash with Stamford.

The Rams are five points adrift at the bottom of the table but it is the visitors who sit directly above them.

Garry Vaughan’s side are 12 points adrift of safety so need a win.

In the National League North, Chorley are away at league leaders Nuneaton Town.

The Magpies are five league games without a win.