CLITHEROE boss Simon Garner wants his side to learn from their 3-0 defeat to Chorley in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy final on Monday night.

The Blues conceded twice inside the opening 20 minutes at the Macron Stadium and couldn’t respond against their Conference North opponents.

But player-manager Garner, who was cleared to play in the final despite being sent off in the semi-final, wants the defeat to act as a springboard for the final eight games of the Evo-Stik League Division One North season as the Blues chase a top half spot.

“We’ve got eight games left and we need to lift ourselves up,” said Garner who wants to spearhead a play-off push next season.

“I want us to take the experience on board and learn from it. The lads have got to be better and stronger and learn from the game.

“I want us to take that not only into next season but the next games.

“I don’t want to be a mid-table team, I want us to get to cup finals and challenging for play-offs or I wouldn’t be here. There are no guarantees but hopefully we’ll learn from that.”

Garner admitted that Chorley deserved the success on the night and admitted some of his Clitheroe players froze on the big stage with a watching crowd of 1,600 spectators.

The Blues boss told the club’s official website: “We weren’t expected to win the game, we were under-dogs and unfortunately that showed.

“Their experience and knowledge of playing at a higher level shone through and fair play to them (Chorley) that’s why they won the game.

“At the end of the day, the best team on the night won.

“We had our chances, we hit the post, had a one on one, as well as a few shots in the six yard box.”