CLITHEROE returned to winning ways in style on Tuesday when they produced a superb performance to end table-topping Northwich Victoria’s 100 per cent winning start to the season.

Vics came into the Shawbridge clash on the back of eight straight victories in Evo-Stik League First Division North.

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But, thanks to goals either side of half-time from Scott Bakkor and Callum Hendry, they were condemned to a 2-0 defeat.

The impressive Blues, whose line-up featured new loan signings Kealan Steenson from Accrington Stanley and Sam Guthrie, opened the scoring in the 27th minute through Bakkor.

The attacker, who used to play for Vics’ rivals Witton Albion, raced in from the touchline and beat his marker before the scooping the ball in off the bar from close range.

Youthful Clitheroe should have been ahead by more at half-time.

But seven minutes after the restart they doubled their advantage thanks to substitute Hendry, who had come on early on in the match for the injured Michael Hampson.

The excellent Bakkor picked up possession and rolled the ball inside for Hendry and the on-loan Blackburn Rovers striker did the rest with a simple side-footed finish.

The thoroughly deserved victory hauled the Blues up to sixth in the standings.