CLITHEROE'S brave FA Cup run finally came to an end with a gutsy performance in Harrogate.

The Blues were always underdogs in this third qualifying round tie against the Blue Square North league leaders.

And so it proved, as Town progressed with two second-half goals at Wetherby Road, in front of a gate of 516.

But despite defeat, Neil Reynolds' men can hold their heads high following a determined display in Yorkshire, in which they contained Harrogate for the first 45 minutes.

The home side had the much larger share of the play in the first-half, but Clitheroe keeper James Mann had very little to do in the way of goalmouth action, as a couple of Town efforts were off target.

The Blues were coping well and had their first big chance to open the scoring when Sam Heap created a great opening for himself, turned Town's right-back before moving into box and firing in a low shot that went narrowly wide.

Mann was soon in action to deny Roy Hunter, but the hosts eventually grabbed the lead on 55 mintues.

Darren Dunning's shot gave Mann little chance, the ball flying into the top corner after Dunning had been teed up by Danny Holland.

In the 81st minute, the Harrogate were handed a penalty for a push in the area and Town's prolific striker Holland converted the spot kick.

That looked to be the end of Clitheroe's chances, but the Shawbridge side refused to lie down and they were given a lifeline when awarded their own penalty, after Chris Ellerker had felled Joel Byrom with four minutes left on the clock.

But the chance to reduce the deficit was wasted as Byrom blazed his spot-kick over the Town bar.

Dunning skimmed the bar late on, as Town held on for victory.