CLITHEROE have appointed Lee Ashforth as their new first-team manager, with Dave Mannix as his assistant.

Ashforth and Mannix took charge of the game against Colwyn Bay last Saturday and at Ramsbottom United on Wednesday, with the performances in those fixtures earning them the job.

A club statement said: "Lee and Dave took charge of the game last Saturday against Colwyn Bay and turned out a team that showed good attitude and gave a far better performance than of late, despite the result.

"The team also showed great team spirit and gave a very credible performance on Wednesday night away at Ramsbottom United, winning the tie and progressing to the next round of the Integro League Cup.

"Both men made their intentions clear at the weekend and showed their interest and enthusiasm for the positions."

Ashforth was assistant to former Blues boss Stuart Mellish.

He said: "We've got some good players here and want to move forward. We don't need to go back to square one.

"We are a very young team and we are just missing some leadership at certain points to help see games out but I think on other occasions our youthfulness and our ability will help us win games as well."