CLITHEROE kept up their play-off hopes with an accomplished victory over promo-tion rivals Bamber Bridge.

Peter Smith’s side made it five wins out of six and did so with 10 men after Liam McManus was red-card midway through the second half.

The Blues’ high-tempo approach has paid dividends this season and just two defeats in their last 10 games has seen them climb to eighth place in UniBond First Division North - and level on points with Brig.

Again it was the pace and trickery of widemen Zach Clarke and Danny Willams who were causing Brig problems with rampaging runs down either flank.

Clarke almost engineered the first goal after 11 minutes but the over-lapping McManus fired wide. But Clitheroe took the lead soon after when Andrew Naylor flicked on to Williams who twisted inside his marker to score with a clinical finish.

The home side shaded the rest of the half but could only great a few half chances.

Bamber Bridge upped their came in the early exchanges of the second half but poor finishing in front of goal proved to be costly.

Smith’s side doubled their lead on the hour when another Naylor flick-on found Nathan Taylor in space and his class was evident as he buried the chance. Clitheroe were reduced to 10 men on 65 minutes when McManus appeared to tread on an opponent after he was challenged from behind.

With the man advantage, Brig showed more attacking endeavour but again could not take advantage.

Clitheroe added a third in stoppage time when Gavin-Lee Ellison drove 50 yards with the ball before finishing into the bottom corner.