CLITHEROE's leading scorer Lee Cryer failed to find the net in the 4-1 demolition of league leaders Prescot Cables to progress to the quarter-finals of the Worthington League Cup, but he heaped praise on his strike partner and double scorer Gary Jackson.

"I have played 15 or so games with him now and he has improved game by game. "He is only young, but is now beginning to make better runs off the ball and is getting his rewards with the goals he has been getting.

"He is fast, strong and a real handful for defenders and he will keep on improving."

Cryer hit the post with a shot inside the box and he rattled the bar with a fierce volley from outside the area as Clitheroe dominated the first half. Jackson netted the first from close range after a cross from Simon Garner. Then just a minute before the interval Mark Stewart doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Jackson was felled in the area.

The visitors showed why they top the league when they came out and had a real go, pulling a goal back on the hour and gave the home defence a few problems, but Lee Sculpher's men held firm and didn't sit back on their lead. Prescot thought they had equalised, but it was ruled offside and within a minute Clitheroe went 3-1 up when Jackson's shot went in off the post.

That finished the tie and Clitheroe rounded the afternoon off in the final minute with a fourth goal. Lee Buggie, on as a substituted for Jackson, broke clear and rounded the keeper to slip the ball into the empty net. It was no more than they deserved and now go into the Christmas programme brimming with confidence.

They now play Skelmersdale Utd at home in the quarter-finals in the New Year.

CLITHEROE...4 PRESCOT CABLES...1