IT would be fair to say that neither side went in to this eagerly anticipated cup clash in the best of preparation.

Birthday celebrations robbed Clifton of their two key midfield players while Ossy Stop and Rest turned up in dribs and drabs and looked like they might have to kick off without a keeper.

So it was somewhat surprising that once the game finally kicked off, it was one of the highest quality.

Clifton, cup runners-up last season, always seemed to have the edge but, with just one goal in it, the game was finely poised right up until the final whistle.

Clifton took advantage of some early disarray in the Ossy camp when Ben McMillan threaded a wonderful ball through to Glen Smith who kept his composure to slide his shot past keeper Barry Shorrocks.

But Ossy slowly got themselves back in to the game and a five minute spell of pressure saw Rob Hanson pull one shot across goal while Graham Perkins fired just wide from long range.

At the other Smith had one goalbound effort blocked by Chris Nuttall - who along with McMillan was the game's outstanding defender - then Nuttall came to the rescue again with a strong clearing header.

Clifton, searching for another goal, had a Graham Anderson free kick cleared off the line before Shorrocks was forced to tip over a shot from David Bell. And just before the break, Clifton striker Steve Dunne did well to work himself free on the edge of the area but his shot was easily saved by Shorrocks.

Dunne had a wonderful opportunity to double Clifton's lead soon after the restart but, after his pace took him away from the last defender, he opted to check back inside and gave the chasing defence the chance to get back and he fired wide.

Scott Kelly then almost embarrassed Shorrocks in the Ossy net when his surging run and cross down the left flank bounced up and over the keeper before catching at the second attempt on the goalline.

Dunne almost made up for his earlier hesitation in front of goal when his wonderful chipped effort bounced just the wrong side of the post.

The game was now getting pretty frantic and Kiel Hamilton's well struck long range effort when just wide of Kirk Russell's upright in the Clifton goal before Smith hit the Ossy crossbar with a header - then got a knock on his head for his troubles trying to tuck away the rebound.

With time ticking way, Ossy tried to pile on the pressure but the well organised Clifton defence stood firm to book their place in the quarter finals of the Rosebowl.

Ratings: Clifton Managers: Ian Hughes/Ricky Barker Kirk Russell (keeper) No real saves of note to make 6 Matthew Wales (right back) Steady performance from the skipper 6 Scott Kelly (left back) One surging run showed his attacking instincts but largely stuck to defensive duties 6 BEN MCMILLAN (centre back) Excellent game in heart of the defence superb pass set up only goal of the game 8 Alan Scotting (centre back) Hardly put a foot wrong and great delivery from set pieces 7 David Bell (right midfield) Had one effort tipped over and worked hard 6 Ryan Hughes (left midfield) Another who worked hard but did not see too much of the ball 6 Graham Anderson (centre midfield) Played out of position in the middle of the park but did a good job 7 Duncan Carmichael (centre midfield) Another drafted in late on but did not let the side down 7 Gary Smith (striker) Cool finish for his goal and led the line. HIt the crossbar late on 7 Steve Dunn (striker) Lively display but should have scored when clean through 6 Subs Andy Taylor (midfield) Lightning quick wideman but only showed glimpes of his pace 6 Peter Hart (midfield) Got in to the pace of the game and contributed well 6 Chris Wells (striker) Big man given a run out late on and put himself about 6 Ossy Stop and Rest Manager: Gary Holt Barry Shorrocks (keeper) Made some vital saves to keep Ossy in the game 7 Jonny Leech (right back) Good solid defensive display 6 Daniel Faina (left back) Had his hands full trying to contain Bell and Dunne 6 CHRIS NUTTALL (centre back) Tackled superbly and won everything in the air. Used the ball well 8 Phil McGavley (centre back) Never buckled under pressure and showed nice touches to get out of trouble 7 Gary Holt (right midfield) Used ball well when he got it but had to show off more of his defensive qualities 6 Kiel Hamilton (left midfield) Lively display and not afraid to have a pop at goal 6 Graham Perkins (centre midfield) Battled hard in the midfield engine room and particularly impressive in first half 7 John Riley (centre midfield) Another who never shirked a challenge and part of an intriguing battle in middle of the park 7 Mark Perkins (striker) Not afraid to come deep to get a bit of the action but was well marshalled by McMillan and Scotting 6 Rob Hanson (striker) Lively start and went close with one well struck effort but chances were limited after the break 6